Namibia’s Cabinet has approved the development of the Angola-Namibia (ANNA) Transmission Interconnector Project, clearing the way for implementation of a cross-border electricity infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening regional energy security and addressing supply constraints.
The project, to be implemented by Namibia’s Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy through NamPower, forms part of regional planning by the Southern African Power Pool to improve electricity transmission capacity and support long-term security of supply in southern Africa, particularly in southern Angola.
Namibia’s Cabinet authorised the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to enter into an Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding with Angola’s Ministry of Energy to facilitate the project’s development and reduce the risk of implementation delays.
NamPower has also been directed, under ministerial oversight and in consultation with the Attorney-General, to conclude a bilateral Power Purchase Agreement and a Project Development Agreement.
The proposed ANNA Project involves the construction of a 400kV overhead transmission line spanning approximately 362 kilometres between the Kunene substation in Namibia and the Lubango substation in Angola.
Of this distance, around 331 kilometres will be located within Angola and will be owned and operated by the national transmission utility, Rede Nacional de Transporte.
Cabinet further approved the mobilisation of concessional financing through the National Energy Fund to cover Namibia’s share of the capital costs, in line with the fund’s mandate to support infrastructure that improves energy access and affordability.
The project has also been endorsed as a flagship regional initiative, with Cabinet approving Namibia’s presentation of the development at the next Southern African Development Community Energy Subcommittee meeting, highlighting the country’s role in advancing regional energy cooperation.
In addition, Cabinet directed the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to expedite all regulatory, statutory and administrative approvals required to ensure the timely implementation of the project.
