WINDHOEK, Dec. 5 — Namibia will establish a Nuclear Energy Program Implementation Organization (NEPIO) to guide the initial phase of the country’s future nuclear energy program, an official said Thursday.
In a statement, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus said the decision made by the Cabinet during its 28th and 29th meetings follows a recent national workshop on nuclear power infrastructure and marks the first formal step toward developing the institutional and coordination structures required for a potential nuclear program.
Under the directive, the Office of the Prime Minister will set up NEPIO and its working groups to manage phase-one activities, including technical assessments, policy preparation, and cross-ministerial coordination, Theofelus said.
The interim structure will operate until NEPIO is formally established. The initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen long-term energy security, reduce reliance on electricity imports, and evaluate nuclear power’s potential to support Namibia‘s future industrial and economic development needs.
The Cabinet also instructed the Office of the Prime Minister to consult key ministries on funding and financing requirements for subsequent phases of the program.
Namibia has identified energy diversification as a national priority as electricity demand grows and the country works to expand its generation capacity. (Xinhua)
