Community members of Okarupuka in the Okakarara Constituency are pleading with the authorities to provide them with electricity.
The service, they say, will enable them to enjoy added benefits of improved living standards.
The residents had a community meeting with Industries, Mines and Energy Minister Natangue Ithete, where members of the Ozombu Rural Development Block expressed the need for electricity.
Hundreds of households are currently not connected to electricity, while some have installed solar panels.
Dr. Moses Maurihungirire is the Patron of the Ozombu Rural Development Block. He emphasised the importance of electricity for rural communities, adding that "access to electricity is not just about lighting homes. It is about empowering people. It is about unlocking the potential of every Namibian regardless of where they live, more so in the block. It is about giving out block citizens' progress and economic advancement."
Dr. Maurihungirire called on the government to collaborate with stakeholders to fast-track rural electricity design and the implementation of efficient and sustainable energy solutions.
Minister Ithete explained funding challenges experienced while suggesting the use of a solar grid in the interim.
"For example, let me explain our current situation. Now each house will be supplied from that mini grid. So each individual will be able to pay his own electricity the same way you are paying Cenored. In areas where we cannot provide the main grid to residents, we plan to supply mini grids to our communities."
Ithete, however, promised the main grid connection request will be motivated for the 2026/2027 financial year.
According to CENORED CEO Fessor Mbango, the cost to install electricity is N$77,000 per household.
"In total when you put up the medium voltage or low voltage, the total cost will amount to close to N$40 million. CENORED has been engaging the ministry to see how we can go about funding of the project."
This initiative is part of the service level agreement between the Ministry and regional electricity distributors to reach the 300 Energy Compact target – an African agenda to electrify 300 million households by 2040.
This translates to 200,000 for Namibia by 2030 and 400,000 by 2040.