The Namibian government has approved the construction of a second desalination plant in the Erongo region to address the increasing water demands, a government official announced on Wednesday.
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, made the announcement during a land development conference in Henties Bay, a coastal town in the Erongo Region of western Namibia.
Schlettwein underscored the essential role of water supply infrastructure, managed by NamWater, a state-owned enterprise, in providing a secure and sustainable water source for communities. Currently, the region depends on groundwater aquifers from the Omaruru Delta and Kuiseb Delta, as well as desalinated water from the Orano desalination plant. These sources are connected through a network of pump stations, pipelines, and reservoirs.
“We have, however, by now reached the ceiling of sustainable supply from these three resources, which currently stands at just shy of 30 million cubic metres per year,” Schlettwein explained.
The minister noted that the ambitious development plans for Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, alongside increased mining activities, industrial demand, and agriculture and food production, have collectively exceeded the capacity of the existing water sources.
“As a result, approval has been granted for the construction of a second desalination plant with a capacity of approximately 20 million cubic metres,” he disclosed.
Construction of the new plant is set to commence in January 2025, with completion expected by early 2027, pending successful implementation. Schlettwein added that this initiative aims to enhance Namibia’s water resilience, ensuring adequate supply to support economic growth and community needs.
