Energy Poverty remains a challenge
The Association of Electricity Distribution Undertakings in Namibia (AEDU) held its 13th annual technical conference in Swakopmund on Wednesday.
Stakeholders in the electricity industry and various distribution companies from across Namibia and southern Africa attended the conference, which was hosted under the theme 'Ensuring sustainability of the distribution industry by embracing innovation and technological changes in the industry.’
AEDU is the Namibian branch of the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU), an association of electricity distribution utilities and commercial companies providing goods and services to the electricity distribution utilities in southern Africa.
AMEU president Nndwamato Mutshidza said energy poverty remains the primary challenge facing society and the industry.
He said the main goal is to push for electrification in all households.
“This must be done while investing in new generation capacity and requires government and private sector to work together,” Mutshidza said.
Urgent deadline
Moreover, the conference highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation in the Token Identifier (TID) rollover process across the region.
The TID rollover process will conclude on 24 November, when all prepaid meters based on Standard Transfer Specifications (STS) technology will stop dispensing electricity unless updated.
Electricity Control Board (ECB) manager of technical regulations, Lameka Amuanyena, requested licensees to share readiness plans and progress reports towards the TID rollover event.
A progress meeting held last November resolved that all licensees should aim to complete the TID rollover project by 31 July. Licensees must also provide monthly progress reports to the ECB to monitor progress.
Mutshidza highlighted the importance of the ECB and NamPower to ensure this becomes a reality.
Deputy mines and energy minister Kornelia Shilunga said the national integrated resource plan called on local generation of energy to increase from 624 megawatts to 879 megawatts by 2025.
“It is essential to emphasise the crucial role of the distribution network in advancing access to electricity,” Shilunga said.
The main aim of the meeting was to ensure the sustainability of the distribution industry by embracing innovation and technological changes.
Stakeholders in the electricity industry and various distribution companies from across Namibia and southern Africa attended the conference, which was hosted under the theme 'Ensuring sustainability of the distribution industry by embracing innovation and technological changes in the industry.’
AEDU is the Namibian branch of the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU), an association of electricity distribution utilities and commercial companies providing goods and services to the electricity distribution utilities in southern Africa.
AMEU president Nndwamato Mutshidza said energy poverty remains the primary challenge facing society and the industry.
He said the main goal is to push for electrification in all households.
“This must be done while investing in new generation capacity and requires government and private sector to work together,” Mutshidza said.
Urgent deadline
Moreover, the conference highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation in the Token Identifier (TID) rollover process across the region.
The TID rollover process will conclude on 24 November, when all prepaid meters based on Standard Transfer Specifications (STS) technology will stop dispensing electricity unless updated.
Electricity Control Board (ECB) manager of technical regulations, Lameka Amuanyena, requested licensees to share readiness plans and progress reports towards the TID rollover event.
A progress meeting held last November resolved that all licensees should aim to complete the TID rollover project by 31 July. Licensees must also provide monthly progress reports to the ECB to monitor progress.
Mutshidza highlighted the importance of the ECB and NamPower to ensure this becomes a reality.
Deputy mines and energy minister Kornelia Shilunga said the national integrated resource plan called on local generation of energy to increase from 624 megawatts to 879 megawatts by 2025.
“It is essential to emphasise the crucial role of the distribution network in advancing access to electricity,” Shilunga said.
The main aim of the meeting was to ensure the sustainability of the distribution industry by embracing innovation and technological changes.
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