Cenored and Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited have agreed to reduce the current electricity tariff from 1.96 kilowatts to 1.34 kilowatts, effective next March.

At present, only about 57% of Namibia has access to electricity due to high tariffs.

It is for this reason that Cenored had discussions with ANIREP, the new majority shareholder of HopSol Africa, in exchange for six additional megawatts to reduce tariffs below Nampower.

This will be made possible by the Otjiwarongo 11 MW solar PV plant, which has the capacity to power about 11,000 houses.

192 houses were connected to electricity at Ombili Informal Settlement at Otjiwarongo through CENORED's peri-urban electrification project.

Phase six of the project is also underway at a cost of N$1,8 million.

Board Chairperson Moses Matjayi says investing in energy infrastructure is part of the National Development Plan's key drivers for economic and social growth. 

Plans are underway to drill two boreholes at the Tsumkwe settlement as the influx of people continues to put pressure on the authorities to provide basic services such as water and sanitation.

This was revealed by regional councillor Johannes Haufiku, who stated that the boreholes would provide much-needed relief to the more than 5,000 people who live there.

At the moment, the water is sparingly shared from six boreholes, whose water pressure also serves the two government schools with a population of 1200 learners and 42 teachers.