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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6552 FRIDAY 13 MAY 2016 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Independent power producers spurred to invest in wind energy ErwinLeuschner
The Minister of Mines and Energy, Obeth Kandjoze, wishes to promote Independent Power Producers (IPP) from investing in Namibia and more specifically setting up solar or wind generation plants. This was said in his speech at the official opening of the Erongo RED Shareholder Summit yesterday in Swakopmund. The speech was read by Erongo Governor Cleophas Mutjavikua. “We are in the unfortunate position that we rely on electricity imports from South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. We import about 60 % of our national electricity demand,” his speech reads. Even though the situation is dire, he wishes to promote IPP, because NamPower “cannot carry the burden.” “We must increase our renewable energy footprint,” he said. According to Kandjoze Namibia has the capacity to produce about 400 Megawatt locally. The current demand stands at about 600 Megawatt with an estimated increase of five percent annually. “We don't want to introduce loadshedding as was the case in South Africa. We must ensure that we have a robust industry and ensure that there is favourable growth for investment,” the speech reads; and: “We must supplement govern-
ment efforts to turn Namibia into an energy exporter.” Kandjoze further states that there has been a change in the way the electricity supply to all Namibians has been handled. He wants to ensure that the electricity industry becomes sustainable, which is why the Regional Electricity Distributors (RED) were introduced. Since the RED's are active you hardly hear of towns being dis-connected from the grid because of non-payment. I remember the days when towns used to be disconnected for that reason,” he said. The Erongo RED Shareholders Summit started yesterday at the Strand Hotel in Swakopmund and will end today. Participants include various shareholders, including members of the different local authorities and other related sectors, including the Electricity Control Board (ECB) and
NamPower. The purpose of the gathering is to discuss common issues and concerns and deliberate them. The outcome will include various recommendations that will then again be considered for possible adoption.
Lambert Roux made several fatal decisions Mr Lambert Roux, the coastal resident and helicopter pilot who was killed in a helicopter crash near Windhoek last month, raised his concerns over bad weather on the slopes of the Auas mountains to an air traffic controller only minutes before his ill-fated departure from the Eros suburban airport for a farm near Dordabis (southeast of Windhoek). continued on page 2
inside N$5 for a movie work application form
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Don’t discourage investors in electricity sector Governor
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Government and businesses suffer from product-piracy
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Weghol sleepwa en bootjie veroorsaak botsing Twee toeriste het gister ongedeerd uit hul beskadigde viertrekvoertuig geklim, toe ‘n sleepwa met ‘n harderbootjie van ‘n voertuig afgehaak en hul voertuig reg van voor getref het. Die voorval was in Atlantic Straat op Walvisbaai, ‘n hanetree van die Waterfront. Niemand is beseer nie.
Spierbouer Borman op drumpel van haar droom
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