The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to invest five billion dollars in renewable energy.

GIPF CEO and Principal Officer, David Nuyoma, made the pronouncement during the official opening of GIPF's satellite office at Mariental.

"So far, we have invested immensely there, but the gap is big; we have already invested close to N$2 billion in renewable energy in about 16 of the solar farms you see across the country, representing almost 100 megawatts, and additional investments of close to 100 megawatts have been approved. And that is part of the amounts already mentioned by our Chairperson, and some of it will be here."

Nuyoma's pronouncement follows after the Hardap Governor and Hardap Regional Council Chairperson, who had also graced the satellite office opening ceremony, lobbied GIPF to invest in capital development projects in the region.

"I would do an injustice to my people if I don't take this opportunity to appeal to GIPF to invest more in our region. I plead with the fund to consider expanding your investment portfolio in the region through more renewable projects, as that's indeed one thing that the region has conducive conditions for; we have plenty of sun," said Governor Salomon April.

"It is really our desire that everyone in the region receives erven free of charge, and then we would have developmental partners on board like GIPF and help us to service those erven for the people; that's what we can give back to the people," added Councillor Gerschon Dausab.

GIPF has to date invested N$177 million in retail development, housing, and renewable energy in the Hardap Region.