In another spout of inter-regional cooperation, the governments of South Africa and Namibia are considering the construction of a 30-MW hydro-electrical power station. The power station would be built on the Orange River to supply parts of southern Namibia, and possibly northern South Africa.
South Africa’s Department of Minerals and Energy Chief Director for Electricity, Ompi Aphane, said that initial indications were that the plant would mainly supply electricity to Namibia but the government would certainly consider buying power from Namibia if the price was right.
The go-ahead for the project was given by the presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia.
South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia, as well as other neighboring countries, have been racked by power shortages and growing demand has led to fears of even more frequent shortages. South Africa is Namibia’s main supplier of power but Eskom, South Africa’s state utility company, has reduced its electricity supplies to neighbouring countries, including Nambia, as it struggles to meet its own power demands.
Nambia’s Trade and Industry Minister, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, said that a 30-MW power plant would make a “serious impact” on the country’s ability to provide energy to consumers, especially, the southern parts of the country.
“I think that on the basis of today’s discussion, the two governments have agreed that where potential has been identified the work should proceed for development purposes," South Africa’s Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa added.
