Follow up: Epupa in Namibia
Angolan authorities did not turn up at a scheduled meeting between the two countries in the beginning of July. The country is troubled by civil war, and it is uncertain when representatives of the two countries will be able to meet to discuss the project. At the same time, Namibian organisations are putting pressure on their government to make it abandon the entire project, which will cause problems both for the environment, and for the local Himba people. The environmental organisation Earthlife Namibia prefers a development of the promising gas discoveries in the Kudu field to make up for the country's energy deficit. The gas project is expected to produce 750 MW/year, for as much as 50 years. The Epupa falls will produce 350 MW/year. At the moment, the gas project plans are developed much faster than the plans for a hydroelectric power plant on the Kunene river, International Rivers Network reports.
Norwatch Newsletter 12/99