Maria David
THE three solar plants at the Hub VTCs in the north are co-financed by the European Union and the German government with a total amount of N$14.6 million, while the Gobabis VTC solar plant has been solely funded by the German government with an amount of approximately N$4.2 million.
The solar plants that were inaugurated range in capacity from 80 to 110 kilowatts; all sites were fenced off with razor mesh, and CCTV systems were installed. Meanwhile, all centres received diesel-powered backup generators with proper steel enclosure structures.
Development Cooperation Counsellor at the German Embassy, Thomas Feidieker, indicated that in Technical Vocational Education and Training, support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) dates back to 2012 when the GIZ Namibia project, now in its third phase and known as ProTVET, was first conceptualized.
“This partnership has taken shape through bilateral agreements that have expanded over 34 years, all aimed at actualizing Namibia’s developmental agenda,” he said.
He added that their collaborative efforts have contributed over the years to successful projects supporting Namibia’s socioeconomic development, fostering a robust job creation agenda driven by small and medium enterprises as well as the industry.
Feidieker added that over the last 12 years, BMZ has provided approximately N$650 million for technical cooperation in TVET, implemented by GIZ ProTVET.
In addition, Feidieker said that the German Development Bank, KfW, is in the final stages of launching a project with the NTA to render financial support to the TVET sector, with a total commitment of approximately N$260 million by the BMZ.
He stressed that the planning, design, and installation of grid-tied solar/PV plants at four public vocational training centres—Nakayale, Eenhana, Valombola, and Gobabis—was agreed upon with their Namibian partners during the second phase of ProTVET, which ended in September 2022.
“We believe this development officially marks the beginning of a process to gradually green the campuses of public VTCs,” he said.
He added that this aligns well with Germany’s target to pioneer initiatives aimed at applying renewable energy and environmentally friendly technologies.
Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi called on the three beneficiary public VTCs to take full ownership of these installations.
She urged them to join hands in maintaining these facilities and work together to protect them against destruction, theft, and vandalism.
