Windhoek, Namibia – June 27, 2024 – Namibia, grappling with its worst drought in over a century, has finally greenlit the construction of its second desalination plant. The long-awaited project, slated to begin in January 2025, aims to alleviate water scarcity and support the country’s economic growth.
“This new desalination plant is a lifeline for Namibia,” declared Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. With a capacity of 20 million cubic meters per year, the plant is expected to be operational by early 2027.
The project has been on the drawing board since 1998, but Namibia’s current predicament has underscored its urgency. The country, the world’s third-largest uranium producer, is experiencing a surge in mining activity and exploration, placing a heavy strain on its existing water resources.
“Our ambitious development plans, coupled with the growth of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, have stretched our current water sources to the limit,” said Schlettwein. “This new plant is crucial to meet the demands of our growing mining sector, industries, agriculture, and overall food production.”
Namibia’s burgeoning green hydrogen ambitions, targeting production of up to 12 million metric tons per year by 2050, have also added pressure to its water reserves. Mines in the Erongo region, near the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, have historically relied on two groundwater aquifers and desalinated water from a single private plant.
The central bank has warned that the crippling drought and potential water supply disruptions pose significant risks to Namibia’s projected 3.7% economic growth in 2024.
