Pushing for alternative power sources

Amid a looming energy crunch in Southern Africa, the Namibian government is pulling out all the stops to promote the use of renewable energies like wind and solar power. Namibia is dependant on South Africa for about half of its average daily power consumption of 200 megawatts (MW). South Africa's power utility Eskom announced in 2004 that it would be unable to provide Namibia with a steady supply of electricity in the near future. Eskom's surplus electricity supply capacity is expected to run out by 2007, as power demands in South Africa were expected to increase by 1,200 MW per annum. Namibia's remaining power requirement of 240 MW is sourced from its hydro power plant at Ruacana on the Kunene river, which flows along the Angolan border in the north. Experts from the ministry of mines and the private sector met last week to strategise on developing alternative energy sources. "The ministry of mines and energy has embarked on a five-year renewable energy master plan, starting in 2005," said Joseph Iitha, permanent secretary in the ministry, at the conference. Under the plan, which forms part of the Namibia Renewable Energies Programme (NAMREP), the government, assisted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), intends to establish an institute for renewable energies, and increase public awareness on the use of solar energy and biogas. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is funding Namibia's five-year project. The GEF is a financial mechanism established by donor governments in 1991 to help developing countries set up programmes that contribute to protecting the global environment. Namibia enjoys sunshine throughout the year. "The goal is to tap this potential to provide a small yet efficient market for solar energy technologies - this will create jobs in a sustainable way", Iitha said. Solar water heating systems and panels for generating electricity have become a common sight at remote schools, clinics and tourism lodges in Namibia. Last year the country's first wind turbine was set up by private entrepreneurs to generate power for the Walvis Bay municipality on the northwestern coast. "The Namibian government already offers loans through its Solar Revolving Fund to the public, to buy solar home systems and solar water heaters," said the UNDP's Prem Jain, who also serves as chief technical adviser at NAMREP. "There are 27,000 households in rural areas not yet connected to the national power grid - doing so will be very costly, and providing electricity via solar panels is a faster and cheaper option." Basic solar systems, which can be installed in rural homes by village technicians, provide energy from the sun for two light bulbs and a black-and-white television set or radio. Larger systems are also available. A recent NAMREP study indicated that solar water heating systems could help homeowners save considerably on their municipal bills. "It would also reduce energy imports - some 30 MW could be saved if about 37,000 home owners would change to solar water heaters," said energy expert Axel Scholle, co-author of the study. Energy experts hope to get government's National Housing Enterprise to install solar water heating systems in homes constructed through its affordable housing programme for low-income groups to achieve the 37,000 target.