NamPower, Namibia’s national power utility, was born out of the then South West Africa Water and Electricity Corporation (SWAWEK). SWAWEK was formed on 19 December 1964 as a private and fully affiliated company of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of the Republic of South Africa.

Key to SWAWEK’s success was the effective development of the hydropower station – the Ruacana Scheme – and the establishment of a transmission system for the distribution of electricity through the country’s central districts to Windhoek. Throughout its 32-year history, SWAWEK made a valuable contribution to the country’s economic development. By the early 1980s, the network covered most regions and eventually in 1978, the Ruacana Scheme was energised, with a capacity of 240MW.

SWAWEK’s last significant act (in association with Eskom) came in May 1996, announcing its intention to construct a 400kV power line over a distance of 900 km between Aries in Kenhardt in South Africa, via the Kokerboom substation near Keetmanshoop to Auas, near Windhoek. In July 1996, SWAWEK became NamPower.

Namibia Power Corporation (known as NamPower), Namibia’s national power utility, was established by Act of Parliament on 16 July 1996, with its core business regulated under the Electricity Act. The utility is registered as a company in terms of the Companies Act and operates according to the licences issued to it in terms of the Electricity Act and other laws of Namibia inclusive of the Companies Act and the Public Enterprises Governance Act, under the guidance and direction of a Board of Directors.

As a state-owned enterprise, NamPower reports to the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the shareholder representative and custodian of Namibia’s energy sector, who ultimately oversees the operations and performance of the utility. Since NamPower’s mandate is derived from powers and obligations as set out in the Electricity Act 4 of 2007, through the conferment of licenses, it has a reporting obligation to the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, as the Government entity responsible for establishing policy in the country’s energy sector as set out in the National Energy Policy. NamPower is regulated by the Electricity Control Board.

• Ruacana Power Station Run-of-the-river hydropower 347MW
• Van Eck Power Station Thermal 120MW
• Anixas Power Station Diesel/heavy fuel oil 76.5MW
• Omburu Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Station 20.0MW

The 'pulse' of NamPower – the National Control Centre, situated in Windhoek - operates on a 24 hour basis to ensure system availability and is responsible for the total operation and management of the NamPower transmission and distribution system.

NamPower takes pride in owning a world-class transmission system comprising an extensive network of overhead lines ranging from 66kV to 400kV, spanning an extensive distance of 12,043 kilometres. This national grid is a testament to Namibia’s capabilities, as Namibian professionals have predominantly designed and constructed it.

Continuous investments are being made to strengthen and maintain the national grid in a superior condition to ensure an efficient and effective network with minimum disruption.

NamPower’s success is built on very strong foundations. Moving forward, the company will continue to invest in powering the nation, protecting our environment, uplifting marginalised communities, providing excellent customer service and meeting the aspirations of our staff now and for generations to come.

In all these efforts and more, NamPower will continue to value the contribution and support of stakeholders throughout the electricity supply industry, and throughout the nation as a whole.