The Osona village in the Otjozondjupa Region has upgraded its electric power grid to cater for its growing demand.
The power infrastructure was upgraded at a cost of N$11 million.
The population of Osona Village, ten kilometers before Okahandja, has grown since 2016 when the first units were occupied.
There are now more than six thousand residential units, with another 500 under construction and over eight thousand residents residing at Osona Village.
Hence the need to upgrade to cater to the growth and future expansions, said Fabian Tait, Chairman of the GIPF Board of Trustees.
"We really live and uphold the mission of the GIPF in terms of safety and growth. If you look at it in terms of safeguarding a N$250-million investment, I think this is evident in what we have seen today. but in terms of growing that to N$1.1 billion, that is exceptional growth."
The upgrade by Nampower from one megawatt to two will cater to residential, commercial, and recreational facilities.
The fully equipped station is located a few meters from the residential area.
"Several operational challenges were initially experienced, which resulted in power supply interruptions. However, I can now report that these initial issues have since been resolved, and the last power supply interruption was in early August 2022. It is envisaged that another increase in supply would be required by December 2023, for which an application has already been submitted to the NamPower Distribution division," said the Chief Operating Officer at NamPower, Fritz Jacobs.
According to Simon Negumbo, Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the infrastructure will allow the village to demonstrate reliability, reduce network constraints, minimize unplanned interruptions, and allow for network expansion to accommodate future development.
"That is why, ladies and gentlemen, this development is so necessary. Without it, the prospects of growth for you as individuals, your businesses, and the community are greatly hampered. Because in our modern age, electricity is a crucial enabler for economic growth and social development."
Osona has become one of the biggest and fastest-growing housing developments in the country, and plans are underway to expand the village.