Swakopmund: The N.dollars 394 million Sekelduin digital substation, designed to strengthen electricity supply to Swakopmund, Arandis, NamWater infrastructure, and the region's growing mining and tourism sectors, was inaugurated at Swakopmund on Monday. Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Gaudentia Kröhne, emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening energy security, supporting economic growth, and creating opportunities for future generations through reliable electricity infrastructure. According to Namibia Press Agency, Kröhne noted that the investment aligns with the sixth National Development Plan and the National Energy Policy by improving electricity reliability in the Erongo Region, increasing supply capacity for households, businesses, mining operations, and the tourism sector, while reducing the risk of power interruptions. NamPower Managing Director Simson Haulofu stated that the facility will serve as the main transmission supply point for the existing Swakopmund and Tamarisk substations, the NamWater South bulk water supply scheme feeding the Husab Uranium Mine, and the Erongo RED 33kV medium-voltage reticulation network. Constructed between July 2021 and March 2023, the substation forms part of NamPower's strategy to respond proactively to rising electricity demand driven by economic growth, industrial expansion, and population increases in the Erongo Region. 'Sekelduin is proof that Africa can design and deliver world-class digital grid infrastructure. Built by Africans for Africa, it provides a scalable blueprint for artificial intelligence and machine learning-ready, cyber-secure substations that future-proof Namibia's growth,' he said. Erongo RED Chief Executive Officer Immanuel !Hanabeb said the project became necessary as electricity demand in Swakopmund steadily increased alongside growing NamWater requirements driven by intensified mining activities. He noted that Swakopmund's demand had reached approximately 21 megawatts (MW) before th e upgrade and has since increased to a notified maximum demand of 28MW, placing considerable strain on existing infrastructure. The project has created 60MW of new capacity, positioning Erongo RED to meet current and future electricity demand while supporting continued growth in one of Namibia's key economic hubs. Funded through a N.dollars 150 million Development Bank of Namibia loan with contributions from NamWater and Erongo RED, the project also reflects the long-standing partnership between the national utility and the regional electricity distributor.