Government has allocated over N$140 million to increase national electricity access from the current rate of just under 60% to at least 70% by 2030. This is to be accomplished by electrifying over 200 000 additional households in rural and peri-urban areas during the next five years.
This ambitious but achievable target was announced on last week during the signing of a new round of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy through its energy directorate, and the country’s Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs).
Executive Director of the ministry Ben Nangombe, confirmed the allocations to the implementing entities. He noted the significant resources being transferred to the different entities for implementation, providing a brief breakdown.
“The only way to get there is through purposeful partnership, tight execution, and unrelenting focus. Therefore, we should not ask ourselves if we can do it, but rather how we will do it best. Let us go out and build connections that matter. Not just wires and poles, but connections between policy and action, between ambition and reality, between our institutions and the people we serve,” Nangombe told the REDs.
Breakdown
The City of Windhoek received the largest single allocation of N$30 million, building on a similar agreement from last year, which enabled the connection of over 800 homes in peri-urban areas with a N$15 million budget.
Cenored was allocated N$20 million for new household connections, along with an additional N$16 million for critical infrastructure upgrades at the Tsumkwe and Gam Solar Hybrid Stations. ErongoRED has signed for N$20 million, while Nored secures an allocation of N$30 million.
Oshakati Premier Electric (OPE) joined the programme as a first-time implementing partner, with an allocation of N$7 million, marking its entry into the national electrification effort.
In the southern region, //AU-OB RED received N$12 million, with support coming in both financial and in-kind contributions from local authorities.
Furthermore, the ministry is also entering a new SLA with the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF), earmarking N$8 million for the development of a solar mini-grid in Puros village, Kunene region.
“This is a first, but it will not be the last. We will not only be partnering with electricity distributors, we are engaging other agencies and institutions that can help move the needle forward,” Nangombe declared.
He emphasised that these latest allocations are not sufficient on their own to meet the national target.
“The figures in these agreements, while significant, are not enough. Not if we want to stay on track to reach the 70% target of electricity access by 2030,” he said.
The ED called on all REDs and implementing partners to supplement the government’s allocations with their own technical and financial contributions.
“Our approach is clear; this is a shared responsibility. Reaching every corner of Namibia with electricity requires more than government funding, it requires joint commitment and innovation from every stakeholder involved,” he said.
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Natangwe Ithete, said it is a duty to ensure electricity is provided to all people. He stated that electricity is not a luxury, but a necessity and it has become a basic need.
“We cannot do without it. Therefore, any part of our country that still lacks electricity should be a concern, not only for those affected or for us as leaders, but for the entire nation,” he said. He expanded that this should be viewed the same way as human beings who lack water or shelter.
At the same event, EIF Chief Operations Officer, Karl Aribeb, affirmed that energy is part of their mandate. In this regard Nangombe encouraged the national energy fund to increase local generation capacity and improve transmission ability. This, he said, would positively impact the cost of electricity.
“Namibia is working with neighbouring countries such as Angola, we have Angola-Namibia transmission line that we are working on. This will make it possible for Namibia to import electricity from Angola where there is excessive capacity of electricity because they have built significant generation capacity. If we execute those projects, then electricity in Namibia will be affordable,” Nangombe added. This is in addition to renewable energy options such as solar and wind.