Residents benefit from solar power
The community of Hoachanas will now also benefit financially from the solar power plant that was established here a year ago.The founders of the Hoachanas Development and Renewable Energy Trust recently announced that the profit generated by the solar plant over the past year will be shared among residents.
The 40 kilowatt (kW) solar power plant and agricultural project was inaugurated in 2024, thanks to an investment of around N$1.2 million. At the event, network engineer Jochen Roeber said it was a groundbreaking development, thanks to the first of its kind mini-grid with an import and export meter as well as the appropriate Electricity Control Board (ECB) agreement.
The trust’s invoice for generated power is sent to the Hardap Regional Council, at about 10% less than the council would have to pay NamPower, which could mean up to N$10 000 per month for the settlement’s survival, he said.
Acceleration
Wolfgang Schmalz, a renewable energy campaigner and project donor, created the trust five years ago with his wife, Esther. Two years later, they joined forces with regional councillor Deensia Swartbooi and Roeber to accelerate the project’s progress.
After a year, the project has now generated N$53 940 for the local community. According to the original agreement, the proceeds are divided equally between the local P.J Tsaitsaib School, the settlement office, the Hoachanas Children’s Fund (HCF) and a quarter for maintenance, rental and future rehabilitation of the land on which the project is built. So each person receives N$13 486, according to the statement issued by the Schmalz couple last week.
The funds donated to the school have been earmarked for the expansion of the Wi-Fi network. Wolfgang says this is “to ensure that all pupils and teachers have comprehensive access to the internet”.
“HCF’s contribution will facilitate the construction of a new corrugated iron room, which will allow for additional English lessons to be held in the afternoons.
“The portion of the donation allocated to the Hoachanas Settlement Office is being used to connect the water pump from the new borehole to the power supply, ensuring that water can be pumped into the elevated tank during the night or periods without sunlight.
“The gardening project under the shade of the solar panels is also thriving and providing valuable support to the local community of Hoachanas,” he concluded. – [email protected]