NamPower’s N$44m investment electrifies rural areas in southern regions

NamPower has made significant strides in expanding electricity access in Namibia’s southern regions, successfully completing large-scale electrification projects in Hardap and //Kharas. The company’s Managing Director, Kahenge Haulofu, announced on Tuesday that a total of N$37 million had been allocated to various projects in the Hardap Region, including N$6.5 million dedicated to electrifying Maltahöhe Informal Settlement Extension 1, August Dam, and Kruis villages.Among the five projects planned for Hardap, three have already been energised, one has been completed but is awaiting energisation, and the final project is in the award stage. Haulofu highlighted that 115 households in Maltahöhe and 21 households in August Dam and Kruis have already been connected to electricity, marking a major milestone in improving energy access in the region.Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, acknowledged the challenges posed by Namibia’s vast and sparsely populated landscape. She noted that approximately 47% of Namibian households now have access to grid electricity. However, she expressed concern over the Hardap Region’s declining electricity access, which has dropped from 67% in 2011 to 62% currently, partly due to increased migration to peri-urban areas. In response, the government is committed to addressing these challenges through investments in off-grid solar technology to reach even the most remote communities.In addition to existing efforts, Shilunga announced that an additional N$12 million would be allocated for electrification projects in the Hardap and //Kharas regions in the upcoming fiscal year. The government remains focused on ensuring that more rural households gain access to electricity, reducing energy poverty and promoting economic development in these areas.A significant milestone was celebrated with the recent electrification of Itsawises village and surrounding communities in the //Kharas Region. Between 2023 and 2024, the Ministry of Mines and Energy funded four electrification projects in the region, providing electricity to 45 households: 25 in Itsawises, eight in Constancia 1, eight in Constancia 2, and five in Enoch. The N$7.43 million investment, awarded through a competitive tender process, was strategically allocated to ensure the efficient use of public funds.NamPower has also undertaken additional electrification projects in the //Kharas Region, successfully energising 14 households and one borehole in Nuwe Kalk, 13 households and one borehole in Jakkalsdraai, and 25 households in Jakkalsvlei. In total, approximately 98 households and two boreholes now have access to electricity, significantly improving the quality of life for residents in these rural communities.This investment in rural electrification underscores NamPower’s commitment to enhancing Namibia’s energy infrastructure and promoting equitable development across the country. As efforts continue, these projects will play a crucial role in fostering economic growth, improving service delivery, and ensuring that more Namibians have access to reliable electricity.

NamPower’s N$44m investment electrifies rural areas in southern regions

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-17

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NamPower’s N$44m investment electrifies rural areas in southern regions

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-17

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