The Electricity Control Board (ECB) CEO, Robert Kahimise, has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing construction work progress of the Diaz Wind Farm.
InnoSun, a subsidiary of French company InnoVent, is currently constructing the wind farm for N$1.8 billion.
Kahimise made the remarks after visiting the site to familiarise himself with the development of the wind farm.
Located near the southern port town of Luderitz, the wind farm will consist of 11 turbines with a total capacity of 44 megawatts.
It will represent 5% to 6% of the country's electricity consumption, producing approximately 4,000 gigawatt hours annually.
"The reason why we are here is to experience and to actually attest to the work that has been done to date. Therefore, our mandate includes inspecting in person instead of only working from the office. So, that's why we are here with our delegation as a regulator to verify."
Kahimise noted the project signifies a significant step in reducing the country's reliance on imported electricity, which currently accounts for about 50% of its power supply demand.
"So, every locally generated unit that is far below the expensive imports is encouraged and supported. "So, we are here realising the government's dream of connecting the unconnected and making electricity affordable to Namibian consumers."
Kahimise further said the country's future lies in achieving an optimal energy mix that combines large-scale solar and wind power, complemented by battery storage systems to ensure a stable base load.
The CEO of InnoVent, Gregoire Verhaeghe, was also part of the delegation that visited the construction site.
"I've been blessed to be the one installing the three turbines, which have already been producing for seven years in Luderitz. That was the pilot on medium voltage. Here we are on the high-voltage pilot project. This means that from this location, we are part of the national grid and are directly connected to Kokerboom via the 400 kW line, which serves as the backbone of Namibia. So, here's to all these installations done by Megatron, a Namibian company."
The project will be completed in May next year.