The Sheya Shuushona Conservancy received a solar plant from the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, through the Fund’s initiative to empower community-based conservancies to adapt to climate change-resilient livelihoods and manage natural resources sustainably.
The N$5.19-million solar plant was funded to create climate change-resilient livelihoods through the Fund’s initiative. The Sheya Shuushona Conservancy covers 506,600 hectares, of which a hectare is now covered by the solar power plant.
The solar power plant displays 216 panels with a minimum capacity of 150KW to power the Sheya Shuushona Lodge.
To date, the project has benefited 3,551 people and created 17 jobs during the development of the solar plant. In addition, 10 young people have been trained on solar plant operation, maintenance and administration. The 150-kilowatts plant will empower the conservancy to contribute towards the tourism sector and enhance renewable energy and efficiency targets.
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta at the plant’s handing-over event said the increased use of renewable energy such as the solar plant will not only cushion the country from the adverse effects of climate change, but also act as a catalyst for enhancing social economic development in rural areas.
“Access to modern energy services is one of the indices for the level of national development, worldwide. In developing countries such as Namibia, there is still quite a significant percentage of the population without access to energy services such as electricity. Let alone the use of green energy to curb emissions,” he said.
