MINING AND ENERGY
OSHAKATI PREMIER ELECTRIC ENERGIZING YOUR FUTURE
BACKGROUND OF OPE
The Oshakati Town Council took a ground-breaking step in the history of local government in Namibia when it joined forces with Premier Electric (a subsidiary of NamPower) to establish a joint-venture company, Oshakati Premier Electric (OPE), in the year 2000. The company became operational in the same year. OPE’s main objectives are to distribute and supply electricity and to maintain and operate the electrical infrastructure in Oshakati. The Electricity Act of 2000 allowed Local Authorities to commercialize the electricity services through agreements such as joint ventures and private public partnerships. OPE became the first private company to distribute electricity in Namibia. OPE operates within the municipal boundaries of Oshakati and is responsible for supplying power to the town of Oshakati, maintaining and upgrading the street and traffic lights as well as existing and future networks. OPE also renders other related services such as account payments, power applications and a fault reporting function.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
We deliver effective and efficient electricity supply services to all customers in Oshakati, and we plan and expand our electrical network to cope with the growing demand. We grow and maintain good relations with our customers while render the following services: •
Supply power to the town of Oshakati
200
•
Maintain existing infrastructure
•
New connections
employees to obtain wiremen
•
Electrification
licensing, High Voltage
•
Reconnections and disconnec-
Switching Authorization and
•
tions of power on request
Training of our core business
various other fields of expertise.
•
Attend to all power failures
•
Sell prepaid electricity tokens
correction plant to ensure
(24hrs)
efficiency and reduce the costs
•
Account payments and enquiries
MILESTONES
Oshakati Premier Electric operates in accordance with a master plan that was formulated in 2001 for electrical services in Oshakati and the surrounding areas. This master plan governs the orderly implementation of new electrical services and the maintenance of the existing electricity infrastructure of the town. Listed below are some of OPE’s milestones: •
Investing in a power factor
of purchasing power. •
Connecting new customers in previously non-reticulated areas; OPE has distributed power to approximately 2,600 erven over the past 15 years in areas such as Evululuko, Okandjengedi (South, North and East), Oneshila, Uupindi North and South, part of Oshoopala and all authorized and enabled local areas.
•
OPE installed and maintains streetlights in Oshakati at no cost to the Oshakati Town Council; this translates into a contribution of some N$2
Upgrading the main NamPower supply from a 10MVA (Mega
•
•
million a year. •
OPE erected 45 high mast lights
Volt Amp) transformer to 20MVA
(25 metres high) in various areas
to cater for load growth.
such as Uupindi, Evululuko,
Growth in return on investments
Okandjengedi, Oneshila,
paid to the shareholder. OPE
Oshoopala and Mandume
currently pays in the order of N$ 8 million yearly as return on
Ndemufayo/Okahao. •
OPE installed seven traffic lights,
investment to the Oshakati Town
which not only ease traffic flow
Council.
but also give a modern look to
•
Reduction of power failures.
Oshakati. Traffic lights were
•
Reduction of debt collection
unheard of in the northern parts
days to 32 days.
of the country prior to
Completion of the 2001
independence.
•
electricity master plan projects, which ensures growth in the customer base. •
Updating of the OPE electricity master plan as well as a new maintenance master plan in 2013.
•
Investment in infrastructure as per OPE master plan from profits and yet remaining sustainable.
•
Providing 24 hour prepaid vending stations since 2003.
•
Awarding annual bursaries to students at tertiary institutions.
w w w. n a m i b i a t r a d e d i r e c t o r y. c o m
OPE’s mission is to provide electricity to all residents of Oshakati and by doing so support Government in achieving Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
INTERIM BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY.
In order to ensure sustainability, OPE is currently at an advanced stage of developing a 10 Megawatt Solar Park near
Oshakati at an estimated cost of N$240 million. The solar park will complement supply from NamPower, improve the quality of electricity supply and ultimately provide a cost benefit to customers. Solar Energy is renewable and thus helps to reduce the carbon footprint, while at the same time improving OPE’s sustainability. An environmental impact assessment has already been completed and the site has been approved and made available by the Oshakati Town Council. Once this project is completed, it will increase the asset base of the company significantly. The solar plant, which will not be grid-connected, is expected to produce power for about 25 years, a life span that will also allow OPE sufficient time to manage its electricity tariffs. OPE is in the process of applying for a generation license from the Electricity Control Board. With the escalation of electricity tariffs the solar plant is expected to help alleviate the high cost of electricity while OPE works towards setting up other generation projects. OPE wants to supply electricity to as many people as possible as part of its contribution to Vision 2030. This will require that the company increases its own electricity generation capacity. Opportunities also exist to supply “smart” electric meters to customers.
OPE Rautia Mwaala +264 65 22 0229 Toll free 081 9779 RMwaala@ope.com.na www.ope.com.na