A new N$280 million electricity substation being developed in Windhoek is expected to be commissioned in February 2027 as authorities move to strengthen power supply reliability and reduce pressure on the capital’s ageing electricity infrastructure.
Mayor of the Municipal Council of Windhoek, Sakarias Uunona, said the Khomas Intake Substation will serve as a second bulk electricity supply point for the city and is considered critical to supporting rising urban electricity demand.
The project is being funded through a combined contribution of N$208 million from the City of Windhoek and N$72 million from central government.
“With a capital contribution of N$208 million from the City and N$72 million from Central Government, this substation will significantly improve the security and reliability of electricity supply to our capital city once commissioned in February 2027,” Uunona said.
He said the project forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the resilience of Windhoek’s electricity network amid rapid urban expansion and ongoing electrification programmes.
“These strategic investments strengthen the resilience of our electricity network and ensure that the gains we make through electrification programmes are sustainable over the long term. As Government and the Municipal Council of Windhoek, we are fully aware that electrification alone does not solve all the challenges faced by informal settlements,” Uunona said.
The Khomas Intake Substation is a new 220/66kV NamPower project currently under construction in the Otjomuise area. Construction began in January 2025 and is expected to take between 42 and 48 months.
The development includes a new substation and associated 220kV transmission infrastructure aimed at increasing electricity capacity from 190MVA to 280MVA.
The project is expected to support growing residential and commercial electricity demand while reducing dependence on the ageing Van Eck Substation, which is approaching maximum capacity ahead of 2027.
“Electrification at the household level must go hand-in-hand with investments in bulk and strategic infrastructure. In this regard, the development of the Khomas Intake Substation as a second supply point for the Municipal Council of Windhoek is a project of national importance,” Uunona said.
The substation is being developed at Farm 508 in Otjomuise and forms part of Namibia’s broader infrastructure expansion strategy aimed at improving electricity supply stability, reducing load shedding risks and supporting long-term urban growth.
