The City of Windhoek (COW) has begun a project to install high mast lights in Windhoek’s Informal Settlements at a total cost of N$14.2 million.
Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, announced the project at a groundbreaking ceremony.
The first phase will see five high mast lights installed near the Havana Dumping Site for N$2.8 million and this includes power supplies for all sites and is expected to be completed by the end of July 2024.
“The project has already brought electricity to 105 out of 162 households near the Havana Dumping Site,” Uutoni said.
“The remaining 57 houses will be connected once the appointment of an Auxiliary Unit Rate Electrical Contractor is finalized.”
The Windhoek Municipality will lead the second phase, focusing on electrifying and installing high mast lights in Okahandja Park, Kilimandjaro-Okuryangava, and Havana Extension 1.
The phase is expected to be completed by the end of August 2024.
“These projects will electrify 720 households at a cost of N$11.4 million,” explained Minister Uutoni. “Funding comes from government budgetary allocations through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development,” the minister said.
Uutoni also outlined ongoing electrification projects in Havana Extension 1 (Blocks 411-413, 301-319, and 321) where 228 connections need to be completed, and Blocks 322-326 and 353-360 (where 214 connections need to be finalized).
Uutoni said work is progressing in Kilimanjaro’s Block Erf 3315 (Okuryangava) with 153 connections to be finalized, Okahandja Park B & C (Okuryangava) with 119 outstanding connections, and Havana Extension 1 in Blocks 322, 358, and 359 (where 21 connections remain).
The announcement by the minister, coincides with Windhoek’s approval of a five-year electrification plan, which aims to connect approximately 4,000 homes in informal settlements over the next five years, with an annual budget of N$15-20 million.
