Maria David
THE Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) has received an amount of N$8 million from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) for its Puros Solar Mini-Grid project.
EIF spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the funding forms part of the service-level agreements between the EIF and the Ministry, and was officially announced earlier this month.
According to Muyunda, the Puros Solar Mini-Grid is a key developmental initiative launched in 2024 through a partnership between the Environmental Investment Fund and the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED).
“The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the European Union under the Towards an Inclusive Design of the Renewable Energy Transition (TIDRET) project,” he said.
He added that the N$8 million contribution from MME brings the total investment in the Puros Mini-Grid to N$14 million.
Muyunda explained that this financial boost marks a major milestone in the implementation of the project and reinforces national efforts to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy.
Further, he added that construction of the solar grid began in January 2025, backed initially by a N$6 million grant from the European Union. With this funding, critical infrastructure has already been established, including the installation of solar streetlights and the construction of a medium-voltage/low-voltage network.
Upon project completion, Muyunda said NORED will assume ownership of the solar plant and implement a social tariff model to generate revenue for ongoing maintenance and operations beyond the current funding phase.
“The Puros Project includes the development of a 300 kW solar mini-grid, with a supporting distribution network that will supply electricity to 200 households, benefiting approximately 500 individuals,” he added.
In addition to residential electrification, he indicated that the grid is expected to stimulate local economic development by powering campsites, lodges, shops, and other small enterprises in the area.
Meanwhile, he said through the TIDRET project, the Environmental Investment Fund reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the solar mini-grid, contributing to the social and economic development of Puros, surrounding communities, and the broader region.
He emphasised that the TIDRET project was designed to promote a just and inclusive energy transition, supporting access to affordable and sustainable energy solutions in underserved regions.
Its activities span the Otjozondjupa, Kunene, and Erongo regions, delivering grant-funded solar installations, maintenance support, capacity building, and technical training for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Muyunda said that the TIDRET project is funded by the European Union Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (EU GCCA+) initiative and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and it is implemented by GIZ through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s Climate Change and Inclusive Use of Natural Resources (CCIU-EU) project.
Photos: EIF Namibia
