LAST MONTH, a stakeholder delegation led by deputy minister of mines and energy Kornelia Shilunga undertook a week-long assessment tour to evaluate progress of the energy grid from Omatako to Tsumkwe constituency in the Otjozondjupa region.
The delegation looked at possible ways as to how government can improve and introduce ways of maximising provision of electricity in the Tsumkwe constituency.
Electricity is regarded as a most versatile and flexible form of energy. However, in Namibia less than 70% of urban and 13% of rural households have access to electricity. The government wants to ensure that the entire country is connected to the grid.
As a custodian of the energy resources, the Ministry of Mines and Energy is entrusted with the execution of the government’s rural electrification programme in the country and Tsumkwe is no exception.
The national electricity grid is the traditional model of electric power generation and delivery is based on the construction of large, centrally located power plants. Regardless of where power plants are located, their power must be brought from the plant to the users, and that’s the purpose of the electricity grid.
“Tsumkwe is one of the most marginalised constituencies in the country and as government we are committed to bring services to this constituency” said Shilunga. Tsumkwe constituency is classified as an off-grid area under the Rural Electrification Distribution Master Plan, which means the constituency solely depends on power sources such as diesel or solar.
“Grid electrification will remain a priority but in the meantime short to medium term strategies are being implemented such as the provision of electricity by solar power” stated the deputy minister.
The delegation’s visit was further aimed at identifying public facilities such as clinics and schools for electrification in that constituency and that included Gam constituency where the only clinic and combined school are said to be experiencing power cuts every now and then.
Despite the power hiccups at some public facilities at Gam, the largest and state-of-the-art mini-grid solar/diesel power plant in the country is actually found at Gam. The mini-grid solar/diesel ensures 24/7 power supply to the Gam community but maintenance and management as well as communication networks continue to pose serious challenges.
Shilunga emphasised that her ministry would continue sourcing funds for the area to make sure all Namibians would eventually have access to electricity and to develop their constituencies accordingly.
