N$12 Million Electrification Drive Brings Power to Hardap and ǁKharas Communities

N$12 Million Electrification Drive Brings Power to Hardap and ǁKharas Communities. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) has officially launched a major peri-urban electrification initiative aimed at connecting hundreds of households across the Hardap and ǁKharas Regions. The groundbreaking ceremony and site handover took place today in Mariental, led by Minister Hon. Modestus Amutse.

The project, backed by a N$12 million investment through a partnership between MIME and the Southern Regional Electricity Distributor (SORED), will electrify 969 households in peri-urban areas. Beneficiary communities include Rehoboth, Mariental, Aranos, Hoachanas, Gibeon, Aroab, Bethanie, Berseba, Aus, Grünau, and Warmbad.

Minister Amutse emphasized that the initiative is more than infrastructure. “This project is about dignity, safety, and progress. Electrifying peri-urban areas allows us to connect more families faster, at a lower cost per household than rural connections,” he said.

The initiative also benefits from contributions by local authorities, with the Rehoboth Town Council providing N$2.5 million and the Mariental Municipality contributing N$1.5 million, highlighting the value of collaborative efforts in accelerating service delivery.

“Government’s policy direction is clear: we intend to electrify all households. This is an ambitious goal, but ambition is exactly what our communities expect from us,” Minister Amutse added.

The electrification programme is expected to improve quality of life, enhance safety in peri-urban communities, and create opportunities for economic growth. By connecting households to electricity, residents will gain access to modern amenities, lighting, and energy for small businesses, supporting both social and economic development.

The project marks a key milestone in MIME’s broader electrification strategy, reinforcing the government’s commitment to providing reliable energy access and promoting inclusive growth across Namibia.