Windhoek councillors debate N$3m pilot solar project

The City of Windhoek has set aside N$3 million for a pilot solar photovoltaic (PV) installation project on municipal buildings, as councillors debate energy costs, infrastructure priorities and whether the full allocation should be utilised in the current financial year.

The matter, tabled during the first council meeting of the new term, stems from a recently concluded roof assessment study to determine the technical and financial viability of installing the systems on selected municipally owned buildings.

Management committee chairperson Austin Kwenani said the assessment followed council’s approved renewable energy policy, which forms part of the City's energy-saving strategy.

The assessment, conducted over three months, focused on three sites, including the Ramatex complex, the City's head office and the electricity department. However, officials confirmed that only buildings fully owned by the municipality were considered.

The debate centred on the financial implications.

While N$3 million is available for the pilot, the submission proposed allocating N$2.3 million for the procurement and installation of services at the head office and electricity department.

Councillor Maitjituavi Kavetu questioned why the full amount was not being used. “Currently, we have N$3 million available, but we are only availing N$2.3 million. We want to send back N$700 000 for what?” he asked.

He pointed out that the electricity department alone requires an estimated N$3.6 million for upgrades, while the head office would require N$12.7 million.

“If there is N$3 million, take the N$3 million. You might not get anything else in the next financial year,” Kavetu said.

Other councillors urged caution, stressing the need to respect institutional processes and the purpose of the item, which was to note the outcome of the assessment.

Calls were also made for a possible second opinion on the Ramatex findings. Councillor Ivan Skrywer argued that “one assessment is not the beginning and the end”, suggesting that alternative assessments could yield more cost-effective options.

‘People are crying’

While the solar project dominated the latter part of the meeting, earlier proceedings were marked by sharp exchanges over council priorities, particularly in light of mounting service delivery challenges.

Councillor Werner-Meck Tjihuiko expressed “serious disappointment” that the first council meeting of the term included debate on street renaming while residents grapple with pressing social issues.

“This is a very, very first council meeting for this town, the capital city… faced with so many social developmental issues, notably the issue of electricity, land delivery, housing,” he said.

He warned that with heavy rains forecast and the city already experiencing downpours, unrepaired potholes pose a growing concern.

“We are still in the rainy season, and potholes are there… People are crying, they are calling. We don’t have the answer,” he said.