City accelerates push for universal electricity access
Augetto Graig
More than 52 000 homes in Windhoek remain without electricity, even as the city ramps up efforts to achieve universal access.
On Friday, mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja commissioned electricity supply to four blocks - erven 2347, 2340, 2339 and 3222 - in Okatunda, located in the Tobias Hainyeko constituency.
“Imagine the impact,” Larandja said, highlighting the life-changing nature of access to power. She credited growing collaboration with the Khomas Regional Council and central government for the progress made.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industrial Development, Mines and Energy Natangue Ithete echoed her sentiments. “This commissioning event is a good example of teamwork,” he said.
Since last year, 814 households in Windhoek’s informal settlements have been connected to the power grid, with 662 of them already switched on. In Okatunda alone, 68 out of 96 houses have been electrified.
Formalising informal settlements
According to O’Brien Hekandjo, head of the City of Windhoek’s electricity department, electrification is a key step toward formalising informal settlements. “This will boost the formalisation of informal settlements,” he said.
Citing the 2023 national housing survey, Hekandjo said Windhoek has an estimated 144 000 homes, of which only 64% are connected to the electricity grid—including connections in informal areas. That leaves over 52 000 homes in the capital still without access to electricity. With a 4% annual housing growth rate, this number could increase by another 2 000 homes per year.
He noted that revenue from electricity leases could generate up to N$70 million annually, which could then be reinvested in much-needed services such as sewerage, water and road infrastructure.
Infrastructure upgrades underway
So far, around 4 000 homes have been connected to the city’s power grid across the Moses Garoëb, Khomasdal, Tobias Hainyeko and Samora Machel constituencies.
The city is also improving public lighting, with five more high mast lights currently being installed, bringing the total to 18. Ten more are planned by year-end.
To support expanding demand, N$235 million in funding has been secured for a second power substation, in addition to the existing one at Van Eck. A further N$4 million will fund the development of a new municipal solar power centre.
This centre aims to encourage residents to follow in the footsteps of the 930 homeowners already generating a combined 42 megawatts of solar power from rooftop systems.
Additional infrastructure upgrades include completed realignment projects at Clanwilliam and Lafrenz, a new distribution centre, and bulk power supply to the army headquarters and central hospital.
Staffing and communication challenges
Progress is being made despite the city’s electricity department operating at just over 60% staffing capacity. Only 140 out of 230 approved positions have been filled.
To speed up delivery, Hekandjo called for a special operation with temporary staff to address the backlog. He described the ideal recruits as “operational foot soldiers on the ground”.
Plans also include revitalising the inner city by restoring public lighting, replacing outdated electricity meters, and constructing large-scale solar power systems with a combined capacity of up to 186 gigawatt-hours.
In a bid to improve customer service, the municipality will outsource outage management services. A new SMS notification system will inform residents of the cause of power cuts and provide estimated restoration times.
Power price comparisons
Hekandjo also pushed back against public complaints about electricity costs in Windhoek. At N$2.44 per unit, the city’s electricity tariff is lower than many others. For example, Erongo RED charges N$2.73 per unit, Cenored N$2.53, Oshakati Premier Electric N$2.63, and Cape Town as much as N$3.90 per unit.
Responding after the presentation, Windhoek Municipality CEO Moses Matyayi addressed public perceptions: “You say we charge a lot, but compared to whom? Even with the advantages of scale, we still do better.”
More than 52 000 homes in Windhoek remain without electricity, even as the city ramps up efforts to achieve universal access.
On Friday, mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja commissioned electricity supply to four blocks - erven 2347, 2340, 2339 and 3222 - in Okatunda, located in the Tobias Hainyeko constituency.
“Imagine the impact,” Larandja said, highlighting the life-changing nature of access to power. She credited growing collaboration with the Khomas Regional Council and central government for the progress made.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industrial Development, Mines and Energy Natangue Ithete echoed her sentiments. “This commissioning event is a good example of teamwork,” he said.
Since last year, 814 households in Windhoek’s informal settlements have been connected to the power grid, with 662 of them already switched on. In Okatunda alone, 68 out of 96 houses have been electrified.
Formalising informal settlements
According to O’Brien Hekandjo, head of the City of Windhoek’s electricity department, electrification is a key step toward formalising informal settlements. “This will boost the formalisation of informal settlements,” he said.
Citing the 2023 national housing survey, Hekandjo said Windhoek has an estimated 144 000 homes, of which only 64% are connected to the electricity grid—including connections in informal areas. That leaves over 52 000 homes in the capital still without access to electricity. With a 4% annual housing growth rate, this number could increase by another 2 000 homes per year.
He noted that revenue from electricity leases could generate up to N$70 million annually, which could then be reinvested in much-needed services such as sewerage, water and road infrastructure.
Infrastructure upgrades underway
So far, around 4 000 homes have been connected to the city’s power grid across the Moses Garoëb, Khomasdal, Tobias Hainyeko and Samora Machel constituencies.
The city is also improving public lighting, with five more high mast lights currently being installed, bringing the total to 18. Ten more are planned by year-end.
To support expanding demand, N$235 million in funding has been secured for a second power substation, in addition to the existing one at Van Eck. A further N$4 million will fund the development of a new municipal solar power centre.
This centre aims to encourage residents to follow in the footsteps of the 930 homeowners already generating a combined 42 megawatts of solar power from rooftop systems.
Additional infrastructure upgrades include completed realignment projects at Clanwilliam and Lafrenz, a new distribution centre, and bulk power supply to the army headquarters and central hospital.
Staffing and communication challenges
Progress is being made despite the city’s electricity department operating at just over 60% staffing capacity. Only 140 out of 230 approved positions have been filled.
To speed up delivery, Hekandjo called for a special operation with temporary staff to address the backlog. He described the ideal recruits as “operational foot soldiers on the ground”.
Plans also include revitalising the inner city by restoring public lighting, replacing outdated electricity meters, and constructing large-scale solar power systems with a combined capacity of up to 186 gigawatt-hours.
In a bid to improve customer service, the municipality will outsource outage management services. A new SMS notification system will inform residents of the cause of power cuts and provide estimated restoration times.
Power price comparisons
Hekandjo also pushed back against public complaints about electricity costs in Windhoek. At N$2.44 per unit, the city’s electricity tariff is lower than many others. For example, Erongo RED charges N$2.73 per unit, Cenored N$2.53, Oshakati Premier Electric N$2.63, and Cape Town as much as N$3.90 per unit.
Responding after the presentation, Windhoek Municipality CEO Moses Matyayi addressed public perceptions: “You say we charge a lot, but compared to whom? Even with the advantages of scale, we still do better.”
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