Utilities of Namibia

Power

NamPower is the national electric power utility of Namibia. Its overall operations include the generation and transmission of electricity, but it has been deemed unsustainable in recent years. NamPower is seeking joint ventures, including public–private partnerships, to maintain the electricity supply. It is currently developing the Kudu Power Project, which will be commissioned by 2018, based around the Kudu gas field. NamPower has, on occasion, imported power from the surrounding Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, particularly from Eskom in South Africa. Namibia has a peak power demand of 550 MW and can only generate 240 MW from Ruacana hydropower station when it is running at full capacity, especially in the rainy season; about 120 MW from coal-fired Van Eck; and about 24 MW from Paratus power station, near Walvis Bay. The country is looking to nuclear technologies to fill its energy gaps, having set up the Namibia Atomic Energy Board in 2009. Namibia is also believed to have substantial untapped oil and gas potential, which has prompted private investment in exploration.

Water

The state-owned Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) supplies water in bulk to industries, municipalities and the Directorate of Rural Water Supply, which is responsible for supplying water to rural communities. In 2013, NamWater and AREVA Namibia (part of the French public multinational industrial conglomerate) signed an initial water supply agreement for the distribution of water by NamWater from AREVA’s Erongo Desalination Plant to mines in the Erongo region.

Telecoms

State-owned Telecom Namibia has a de facto monopoly on fixed line telephone services, while Mobile Telecommunication United (MTU) is the main provider of cellular services. MTU is majority state owned, with a 34 per cent stake owned by Portugal Telecom. The three major internet service providers are Africa Online, M-Web Namibia and Telecom Namibia.