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OPE celebrates 25 years with groundbreaking Solar PV plant

OPE celebrates 25 years with groundbreaking Solar PV plant

Maria David

OSHAKATI Premier Electric (OPE) marked its 25th anniversary with a significant milestone: the groundbreaking of the Premier Energy (PE) Solar PV plant.

The ceremony, held last week, was attended by key figures including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mines and Energy, Natangwe Iithete.

According to OPE Chief Executive Officer Nelson Sheya, Premier Energy (Pty) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OPE, is undertaking the N$107 million investment in the solar plant.

GROUNDBREAKING: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy, Natangwe Iithete has commissioned the work of the solar PV of Okakukiipupu in Oshakati on Friday. Video by Maria David

Sheya indicated this initiative underlines OPE’s commitment to exploring sustainable energy solutions for the region.

“For the past quarter-century, OPE has been a key player in the distribution and supply of electricity. The company has sustained its operations through strong support from its shareholder, the Oshakati Town Council,” he said.

He added that this partnership has enabled OPE to achieve remarkable electrification in both peri-urban areas and townlands, notably providing free electricity service connections by reinvesting shareholder returns.

In a significant development this year, Sheya announced that it has, for the first time, received direct funding for electrification projects from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Sheya expressed gratitude for this support, noting its potential to significantly advance their projects.

He added they have also demonstrated a strong operational track record, consistently reducing power failures and maintaining their infrastructure.

Further, he said the company has contributed N$121 million in returns to its shareholders over the years and has proactively upgraded its substation to meet the increasing demand of Oshakati.

“OPE’s consistent operations also include the installation and maintenance of streetlights, high masts, and traffic lights,” he added.

Beyond its core functions, Sheya said they have been instrumental in hosting the Namibia Electricity Support Tariff (NEST) pilot project on behalf of the government.

He stressed that the company also successfully hosted the Electricity Supply Industry Forum and Games in Oshakati in 2022.

“The journey towards the newly grounded solar plant began several years ago when OPE commissioned a study to identify the most suitable source of energy for electricity generation in Oshakati,” said Sheya.

He said that the study concluded that Solar PV was the optimal choice, leading OPE to embark on the path to realizing this renewable energy project.

GROUNDBREAKING: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy, Natangwe Iithete has commissioned the work of the solar PV of Okakukiipupu in Oshakati on Friday. Video by Maria David

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