Local experts welcome N$2,6 billion WorldBank loan: Economists have expressed mixed feelings over the decision by the Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) to get a N$2,6 billion loan from the World Bank to expand its transmission network and integrate renewable energy into its grid.
The project will be implemented by NamPower under the Transmission Expansion and Energy Storage project, which is intended to improve the reliability of the country’s transmission network and enable increased integration of renewable energy into the electricity system.
The project is structured around three components: the development of the second Auas-Kokerboom transmission line, the development of a utility scale Battery Energy Storage System facility, and technical assistance activities to support NamPower to develop bankable renewable energy projects and enhance the socio-economic benefits of its projects.
Omu-Kakujaha-Matundu
Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu welcomes the loan as it conforms to the ‘golden rule’ that money borrowed should be invested in capital projects and not be used for consumption.
“Hence, despite Namibia’s current debt situation, this loan will in the midterm lead to cheaper electricity, which is good to attract local and foreign investment,” Kakujaha-Matundu says.
He believes this will in turn contribute to much needed employment and expansion of the tax base.
“In that way, the loan can repay itself. Hopefully, this loan will yield good returns for the country to repay the debt without relying on the fiscus,” he adds.
Economist Josef Sheehama agrees that the loan will support the development of infrastructure rather than consumption, and as such will be beneficial and create employment opportunities.
He, however, says the loan should be used for its intended purpose as the country’s public debt already accounts for more than 70% of Namibia’s gross domestic product.
He believes the loan comes at the wrong time.
“Now is not the time to take on more debt. There will be additional fees for servicing the loan interest. Considering that public debt represents a portion of the region’s total external debt, we are suffering from higher borrowing costs,” Sheehama says.
Kahenge Simson Haulofu
He further says servicing the debt can become difficult when interest rates are higher, fuelled by geopolitics.
“Governments must exercise caution and strive to keep their debt well below the projected thresholds, ensuring that growth-detrimental debt levels won’t be reached, even in the most unlikely of circumstances,” Sheehama adds.
IJG research analyst Angelique Bock says the loan will bring a large inflow of money into the economy and will allow for economic growth.
“This will improve grid stability and allow NamPower to integrate more renewable energy. This will reduce generation costs and improve Namibia’s energy independence.”
She says there will also be new…
