Mines and Energy minister Tom Alweendo said Namibia has the potential to become an energy hub in Africa, provided energy projects are managed effectively.

He  made these remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony of NamPower’s Otjikoto Biomass Power Station project, located 12 kilometres outside Tsumeb, on Friday. The power station will generate 40 megawatts of electricity by combusting wood chips from bush harvested in the surrounding areas. Alweendo emphasised that Namibia could achieve energy hub status in Africa if projects such as the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station are executed correctly and purposefully.

“If we act correctly, and we act purposefully to make sure that all these energy projects that we have now online, like this particular one, I can probably also make a reference to the oil and gas discovery, we have a great chance that Namibia is going to be an energy hub in the African continent,” he stated.

He noted that stakeholders in energy projects must understand their roles, and perform them as expected to ensure success.

The minister encouraged Namibians to feel optimistic, stating that the country is at a positive turning point, with significant opportunities arising from the energy sector.

“We need to be energised, and know that we are really standing on a cusp of very good things when it comes to the energy sector,” he said. Speaking at the same event, NamPower managing director Kahenge Haulofu challenged DongFang Electric International Corporation (DEC), recognised as one of the leading contractors globally, to ensure that the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station becomes a benchmark in Africa upon its completion. “We, therefore, lay a challenge to DongFang Electric International Corporation as one of the leading contractors in the world that, once completed, this plant should be the best biomass power plant in Africa,” he said.

The construction of the power plant is expected to take 30 months to complete. -Nampa