Energy is a critical catalyst for Namibia’s development, Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo said on Friday.
Alweendo was speaking at the inauguration of a five-Megawatt Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Plant at Otjiwarongo constructed by SunEQ Four and its local partner, the Hungileni Investment Group.
The PV plant will supply electricity to the Ohorongo Cement manufacturing plant.
Alweendo said he appreciates the efforts of those who invest in energy generation in Namibia and said currently, Namibia imports the majority of its electricity.
“In itself this is not a bad idea as we cannot isolate ourselves from importing anything from anywhere else, but I think if you have something as important as electricity which you are importing more than 60 per cent of, at times you tend to get worried that strategically, your security of supply cannot be guaranteed,” he said.
The minister said it is the resolve of government and the private sector that in the near future, Namibia should start generating more of its electricity locally.
“It also means we can no longer think of electricity as a form of luxury for people who live in towns, for companies or for the mines. If it is going to be a real catalyst for development we need to think of it as something that everyone is supposed to have,” Alweendo said.
He further said the electricity generated should also be affordable so as to address the issue of inequality of electricity in rural and urban areas.
On his part Ohorongo Cement Managing Director, Hans-Wilhelm Schutte said his company prides itself on being a truly Namibian company that supports government’s developmental policies.
“The energy produced by the solar PV plant will assist our country in reducing its reliance on electricity imports,” said Schutte.