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Seminar paper by Davidzo Namate

THE NAMIBIAN RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT by DAVIDZO NAMATE ACTING CHIEF ELECTRICAL ENGINEER MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY 29 MAY 2002

1. Presentation Outline

Government Policy Objectives of Rural Electrification History of Rural Electrification - Grid / Solar Rural Electrification Statistics The Namibian Rural Electrification Master Plan The Road Ahead 2. Energy Policy Goals: SECURITY OF SUPPLY SOCIAL UPLIFTMENT EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE INVESTMENT AND GROWTH ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY SUSTAINABILITY 2.1 Policy and Rural Electrification Rural Electrification contributes towards the goal of social upliftment and rural development Policy targets: Communal areas Community facilities Small businesses Households To embrace both grid and off grid technologies Rural access to electricity: 12% -> 25% by 2010 3. Objectives of Rural Electrification Improve Rural Standard of Living Increase economic & commercial activities in Rural Areas Improve quality of health and educational facilities in Rural Areas Reduce unemployment through job creation Combat deforestation Vehicle for development 4. History of Rural Electrification - Grid / Solar Grid Solar Started 1991 Started 1996 Clockwise around country Target individual homes far from grid Target socio-economic centres Beneficiaries pay capital cost in installments Beneficiaries do not pay capital cost Beneficiaries do not pay consumption cost Beneficiaries pay endless consumption cost Limited consumption Limitless consumption 2002-introduction of ‘fee for service model’ 5. Rural Electrification Statistics: Solar/Grid SOLAR: GRID: 570 Solar Home Systems installed More than 15000 electric connections Approximate cost N$10million Approximate cost N$250million Current cost per system approximately N$8500 Average cost approx N$17000/ connection 100 Solar Technicians trained More than 350 rural centres electrified Funding: Govt, NORAD Funding: Govt, NORAD, NamPower 6. NAMIBIAN RURAL ELECTRIFICATION MASTER PLAN 6.1 Background Initial phases easy to select localities Next phase: multitude of small localities Need for electrification funding    -> Master Plan 6.2 Major elements of the Master Plan Prioritisation by point system Regional fund allocation: equity , efficiency Funding requirement: N$40-50million annually Rural Electrification load- 63MW (9.4%) of national load Master Plan looks at electrification of: 2157 localities About 52000 new connections 810 schools, 360 clinics 6.3 Grid versus off-grid Embraces both grid and off grid options Grid only: completion in 2031 Why off-grid? Grid is not financially and economically sustainable in some areas due to Dispersed settlement patterns High costs of line extensions Low levels of consumption Low levels of disposable income 7. The Road Ahead MME committed to continue Rural Electrification Namibian Rural Electrification Master Plan to guide planning Public & Regional Council inputs required to refine priorities Need for sourcing additional funding: Govt, NamPower, grants, levies