The main pillar to secure the project sustainability after the external supports of SGP funding comes to an end was identified as to seek potential additional sponsors. Letters has been compiled and circulated to different companies and institutions seek for assistance. However, the team has initiated a formulated strategic plan to guide them in future on aspects such as potential and affordable viable local or national companies that sell parts or have technical capabilities. LWDP plans to get assistance to buy materials for sewing team, where by the income generated from the products could be saved and used for repair and maintenance of the wind turbines.
The members of community project received varieties of technical training. The training was conducted by Asca Investment Company, which incorporates the whole process of assembling, installation and maintenance of the devices as well as a minor planned maintenance, serving and general up-keep of the instrument.
Besides from the whole process of training community project were given the manuals details of the project device to guide them with safety and curb trouble shooting when it occurs. The project team member has exposure with the relevant skills, since they were present at all the stages of project installation. In addition two members of the project team have also absolved extra training in project management
Replication of project activities
The next step is to replicate this project in and around Luderitz area, especially the informal settlement area.
The project team has learned a lot from DRFN,as a rersult they have identified DRFN energy experts as a valuable partner. This partnership is ongoing and is to be strengthened.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The project has promoted the understanding of people to value the environmnet, and fostered their understanding on wind as form of renewable energy. As a result, this would enable the people to replicate this activity at broader scale and possibly apply it to the industries as main source of power supply to curb and reduce environmental degradation.
Teachers and learners of Luderitz Secondary School are also benefit from the project. They utilize the installation as an educational tool and science club at school uses it for various school projects. As a result this scientific knowledge approach model is disposed to the interest of the entire defined education institution.
Gender Focus
The project has started to provide electricity to four women from Eco Sewing project. They use the project electricity to sew clothes and materials for commercial or trading purposes.
Currently they are saving little money since they dont have to buy electricity from the Luderitz town council.
Planning non gef grant
The project team has approached local companies for assistance, and they determine to convince donors for more funds and technical supports
Notable Community Participation
The project team has gathered lots of information on wind energy project. The dissemination of information was done through holding meetings session with different stakeholders, such as schools, local authorities, community groups and media. The project teams also held information meeting with additional interested parties namely: Luderitz town council and Regional Councilor.
However, information was again distributed to the local medias both newspapers editors and the NBC national radio chat show. The highlight of the project was the information campaign held on 28 January 2010. During this session, information materials were distributed in the forms of pamphlets, posters and flyers. Desert Research Foundation of Namibia has also played a significant role on exhibition of practical demonstration of different renewable energy forms.
Linkages gef projects
The technician who installed wind generators went for training at NAMREP, further cooperation will be encouraged and strengthened. NAREP is a GEF medium size project aiming to promote renewable energy in Namibia.
Policy Impact
There are government polices influenced by the project. White paper on energy policy 1998 states ?Harnessing the wind and solar resources for grid-connected power generation can help to increase the diversity of electricity supply and therefore increase energy security and self- sufficiency, which are national goals, as well as environmental sustainability.?
The project is still in line with national policies integration effort to combine public awareness on both aspects, in order to reach every citizen. ?In addition to formal education and training, public awareness programmes are required, in order to sensitize energy users and general public to the capabilities and limitations of renewable energy.?
Policy Influence
There were government polices influenced by the project. White paper on energy policy 1998 states ?Harnessing the wind and solar resources for grid-connected power generation can help to increase the diversity of electricity supply and therefore increase energy security and self- sufficiency, which are national goals, as well as environmental sustainability.?
The project is still in line with national policies integration effort to combine public awareness on both aspects, in order to reach every citizen. ?In addition to formal education and training, public awareness programmes are required, in order to sensitize energy users and general public to the capabilities and limitations of renewable energy.?
Project Results
A stakeholders meeting took place in Luderitz where different stakeholder?s parties took part such as :individuals and representative from DRFN, local authorities, Luderitz community, schools and Regional Councilor Mr. D Shoombe. It was highlighted that the community has learned a lot from the project experience. The project achieved the following:
-Installed and functioning wind energy systems
-Proactive and participatory project team members
-Increased awareness about wind energy and its potential for future uses
-Trained team members
-Informed community members
-Participation at meeting
-Dessiminated Renewable energy documents
However, there were shortcomings during the course of the project implementation. There was a lack of linkages to mainstream the project intention to the local authorities. Council had suspicion that project aimed toproduce electricity for commercial purposes.
