Namibia hopes for joint hydroelectric development with Angola

4 April 2012 – The president of NamPower, Paulinus Shilamba, says that he hopes that Namibia and Angola will jointly build a hydroelectric project in the Kunene River with the cost of this project to be shared by both countries.

There is significant potential for increased cooperation in the power sector between the two countries. Several southern Angolan cities including Ondjiva, Namacunde and Santa Clara already receive electric power via the Onuno substation in Namibia.

The Kunene River has a current installed capacity of about 350 MW, but its potential is far higher, estimated at over 2,300 MW. The river hosts three hydroelectric facilities, these being the 60 MW Gove facility in Angola, the 51 MW Matala weir in Angola and the 240 MW Ruacana power station whose weir is located in Angola, but whose power plant is in Namibia. A fourth 80 MW turbine at Ruacana was due to be in operation by the first quarter of this year.