Oshikoto: Two remote villages in the Oshikoto Region are set to benefit from solar-powered off-grid desalination plants valued at more than N$3 million, with construction expected to begin in September as part of efforts to address chronic water shortages and improve food security.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the first phase of the project will see desalination plants installed at Oluundje in the Olukonda Constituency and Evale in the Eengodi Constituency. These areas were selected due to persistent saline water challenges that have left residents without reliable access to safe drinking water. Speaking during a stakeholder engagement on Tuesday, Boreal Light Chief Executive Officer Hamed Beheshti announced that installation of the tailor-made systems will commence in September once equipment arrives in Namibia, with shipments expected to take between three and four weeks.
The project includes a community aquaculture component wherein water discharged from the desalination process will be purified and channelled into 40-cubic-metre fish tanks stocked with more than 1,500 fingerlings. Beheshti stated that the fish are expected to mature within six months, allowing communities to harvest or sell them at affordable prices. The fish farming initiative is designed to operate with minimal running costs, as insects attracted by solar-powered lighting will provide a natural food source for the fish. Ice produced through the desalination process will preserve fish and meat, while solar panels will offer shade to protect the systems from excessive heat.
Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi described the initiative as a significant stride towards strengthening water security in the region. He noted that more than 1,000 residents, as well as schools and clinics, are expected to benefit from the plants. Local community members will be trained to operate and maintain the equipment to ensure long-term sustainability. Kathindi further encouraged residents to establish household gardens and horticultural projects using the improved water supply, with the aim of enhancing food production and household incomes, contributing to sustainable development in the region. He also called on stakeholders to continue partnering with the government to address water scarcity and ensure all Oshikoto residents have access to safe, potable drinking water.