Haulofu’s NamPower dream
Asked where he would like to see Namibia’s state-owned electricity utility, NamPower, by 2040, long-serving managing director Kahenge Simson Haulofu said the utility could become one of the strongest in the region.
“I like 2040. NamPower, in my view, being a visionary and passionate NamPower employee, will be one of the strongest utilities in SADC (Southern African Development Community) and beyond,” he said.
“By then we will have built the base-load for this country,” he said.
Haulofu’s vision extends well beyond the five-year business plan launched in Windhoek on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The occasion also marked 30 years since the independent government reformed SWAWEK in 1996, creating NamPower and later NamWater.
The plan identifies several potential sources of future electricity generation, including a mega wind installation, gas-to-power, a small modular reactor (SMR) and the proposed Baynes hydropower project.
For Haulofu, however, the priority is ensuring Namibia has sufficient dispatchable base-load capacity to support the expansion of renewable energy.
“Otherwise we will continue to have expensive power,” he said.
Using Baynes as an example, Haulofu said: “If this country builds a hydro plant such as Baynes, our economy will flourish, affordability for communities will happen, and we can add more renewables to the grid. The grid needs to be supported by base-load.”
He said NamPower was currently turning away proposals for additional renewable power because the grid lacked sufficient supporting conventional generation.
“Projects for up to 1 000MW are being shown the door because we don't have the supporting conventional power,” he said.
On nuclear power, Haulofu said Namibia still faced a lengthy process because of the lack of legislation and a regulatory framework governing the sector.
“Our technical people have undertaken various trips targeting small modular reactors, while government works on state issues and international approvals. For example, a 120MW SMR would be big for our country and a good base-load,” he said.
“Two, three months ago I was at an SMR plant in China, but up to now we have made no selection and there is no dedicated project on the horizon.
“For me, I look at South Africa. They have Koeberg, the only one in Africa. They did not wait to do beneficiation first. They contracted, they built, they buy uranium rods and run the plant,” he said.
“We can do the same. While beneficiation is taking place, we can start an SMR in the country, if the decision is made and the laws are in place,” he said.
Whatever base-load investment decision is eventually made, however, NamPower cannot finance and build the project alone, Haulofu said.
“NamPower cannot build a N$13 billion plant, never, but NamPower can plan and invest substantially,” he said.
“Government will have to come on board. They have to look at the agenda. They have to change the dynamics and redivide the cake.
“At a national level, Namibia needs to tighten the belt and build with NamPower. The money is with the politicians. They have access to the national purse,” he said.
