The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) has inaugurated an 80kW Solar Power Plant at the Gobabis Vocational Training Centre (VTC), as the firm promotes environmental responsibility.
The project aims to reduce operating costs within the training facility.
Jerome Mutumba, NTA’s Board Chairperson said construction of the 80kW solar power plant began in February 2023. The project was solely funded by the German government (BMZ).
“The contractor, K-Hapu Holdings, established, levelled and fenced the site. Installation started in March and included the mounting of concrete bases, trenching of cables, structure installation and solar module fitting and wiring,” he said.
He noted that the total cost of the single installation amounts to N$4.1 million, including the plant, cameras, solar lights and other miscellaneous items like the fencing.
Mutumba described the system’s capabilities noting that the installation covers the entire electricity needs of the centre, inclusive of three-phase equipment.
“It includes a backup generator that kicks in automatically after 10 seconds when the grid goes down. At full fuel capacity, the generator covers all electricity needs, including three-phase equipment, for up to 18 hours,” he noted.
Mutumba also stressed the importance of similar installations at various VTCs in northern Namibia.
“Similar installations have been erected at the cluster of VTCs in northern Namibia, I alluded to earlier. These are Eenhana VTC (Eenhana, Ohangwena); Valombola VTC (Ongwediva, Oshana); and Nakayale VTC (Outapi, Omusati). However, installations at these centres are funded by BMZ and the EU.”
Mutumba acknowledged the initial high costs of the project but underlined the long-term cost-saving aspect of solar electricity.
“From a corporate social responsibility perspective, we are now able to generate our own green electricity and operate in a manner that reduces our environmental impact and lower our carbon footprint,” he said.
Mutumba noted that the Gobabis Vocational Training Centre, established in 2016 at a cost of N$13.4 million, has been continuously expanding its offerings in line with a comprehensive TVET Transformation and Expansion Strategy.
