Power transforms rural schools
Two Ohangwena schools will now be able to use computers, photocopy machines as well as have light in their classrooms.
A German-Namibian foundation has funded a renewable project that will see two rural schools in the Ohangwena Region electrified with solar energy by next week.
The Omuuni and Ondjabayonghalu combined schools will soon have access to electricity after many years of being without this essential service.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation invested over N$500 000 while buying three different 3-kilowatt solar-powered systems.
A further N$80 000 has been used to contract the installation company.
The initiative forms part of the foundation's Promoting Renewable Energies in Namibia (Pren) project, launched last year.
The schools will now be able to use computers, photocopy machines as well as have light in their classrooms.
According to Pren project coordinator Rodney Seibeb they launched the three-year project with the aim of electrifying six rural schools with renewable energy by 2019.
Seibeb made the remarks during a consultative meeting with various stakeholders at the Ohangwena regional council earlier this week, where he said if everything goes to plan Omuuni and Ondjabayonghalu will be electrified with solar power by this coming Monday.
“Our objective is to improve the awareness of using renewable energies and energy efficiency in Namibia. We are promoting the use of renewable energies in schools, as well as in SMEs and start-ups in targeted rural areas, by making use of capacity building interventions.”
Seibeb said if the systems are used effectively they will last up to 30 years.
He added the solar systems are unique, in that they can be expanded, which then increases their efficiency and lifespan.
When asked what criteria was used to identify the two schools, Seibeb said they conducted thorough baseline research, in which they identified schools that are far from the electricity grid.
This was done in consultation with different stakeholders.
Apart from the electrification of the schools, Seibeb said they also plan to visit four schools with their mobile classrooms, as well as conduct two workshops for rural SMEs with energy needs.
Ohangwena deputy director of development planning Etuhole Haimbili was pleased, saying the region needs stakeholders who are eager to meet government halfway.
He applauded the efforts of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and praised it for identifying two schools in Ohangwena to benefit.
“We appreciate what you are busy with.”
Seibeb called on stakeholders who would like to donate equipment to the schools, such as computers and printers, to do so as soon as possible.
KENYA KAMBOWE
The Omuuni and Ondjabayonghalu combined schools will soon have access to electricity after many years of being without this essential service.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation invested over N$500 000 while buying three different 3-kilowatt solar-powered systems.
A further N$80 000 has been used to contract the installation company.
The initiative forms part of the foundation's Promoting Renewable Energies in Namibia (Pren) project, launched last year.
The schools will now be able to use computers, photocopy machines as well as have light in their classrooms.
According to Pren project coordinator Rodney Seibeb they launched the three-year project with the aim of electrifying six rural schools with renewable energy by 2019.
Seibeb made the remarks during a consultative meeting with various stakeholders at the Ohangwena regional council earlier this week, where he said if everything goes to plan Omuuni and Ondjabayonghalu will be electrified with solar power by this coming Monday.
“Our objective is to improve the awareness of using renewable energies and energy efficiency in Namibia. We are promoting the use of renewable energies in schools, as well as in SMEs and start-ups in targeted rural areas, by making use of capacity building interventions.”
Seibeb said if the systems are used effectively they will last up to 30 years.
He added the solar systems are unique, in that they can be expanded, which then increases their efficiency and lifespan.
When asked what criteria was used to identify the two schools, Seibeb said they conducted thorough baseline research, in which they identified schools that are far from the electricity grid.
This was done in consultation with different stakeholders.
Apart from the electrification of the schools, Seibeb said they also plan to visit four schools with their mobile classrooms, as well as conduct two workshops for rural SMEs with energy needs.
Ohangwena deputy director of development planning Etuhole Haimbili was pleased, saying the region needs stakeholders who are eager to meet government halfway.
He applauded the efforts of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and praised it for identifying two schools in Ohangwena to benefit.
“We appreciate what you are busy with.”
Seibeb called on stakeholders who would like to donate equipment to the schools, such as computers and printers, to do so as soon as possible.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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