2000 - 2023

Various committees formed. Numerous meetings and proposals considered.

By 2019, 23 Air Conditioners are installed (primarily in offices) and 2 water coolers installed in PLC.

Increased awareness of the impact that humans are having on long term climate change.

August 2022: Solar Project

50 kWh Solar Power Project Installed: N$680,000

Annual yield Aug 2022 to Aug 23: 88.52 Mwh (total to date: 159 Mwh)

Total Energy Consumption Aug 2022- Aug 23: 187.34 Mwh

Exported to the grid: 15.9 Mwh

Jan 2023: Security Lights

Increases energy consumption by ~2500units per month (estimated)

October 2023

In 2023, groups of parents offer donations of household-level efficiency and mobile air cons.

A Cooler Classroom Committee of Sethu Kalili, Jorn Greiter, Edmund Nel, Vincent Bridgens, Carol Heimstadt, and Ethan Van Drunen review feasibility of reducing classroom temperatures. Community is informed.Priority Investigations: Water Cooler Systems, AC Units, Roof Paint, Insulation, Drinking Water

Cooler Classrooms Campaign

October 2023: Board approves fundraising for this initiative.

Email to all staff/community sent on 27 October 2023. ~N$100K received/committed:

“Our goal is simple but impactful: to install sustainable cooling solutions in every classroom at WIS.”

April 2024: Tender

Tender for Air Conditioners Advertised. 18 Bids received ranging from N$1.1M to N$2.3M.

Preferred bidder is identified and initial meeting takes place. Verbal ‘preference’ given but no FID as yet.

New expressions of concern about environmental impact of Air Conditioners arise.

Other community members express concern about impact on students/staff if project is delayed.

This meeting is called.

​

1. Air Cons for all non-PLC Classrooms + 50 kWh solar

2. Air Cons for only Primary Homerooms + 50 kWh solar

3. Devote funding for only non-AC alternative ideas

Capital Cost (2023-24)

N$1,689,001 A/C

N$683,620 Solar

Total: N$2,530,996

N$868,114 A/C

N$683,620 Solar

Total: N$1,551,734

Trees/Shrubs, Painted Roofs, Shade Awnings, Misting Fans

Running Cost

Increase electricity cost by between N$20-N$30,000/ month before solar

Increase electricity cost by N$10-15,000 month before solar

No change in running cost

Pros/

Cons

Equal access to climate control but exceeds capital budget estimate by 14%; high running costs.

Affordability & equity across Primary - but

Secondary/PLC not addressed/experimental

High level of sustainability but impact on classroom temps is experimental /contextual at this stage

​

4. Water Coolers +/- 50 kWh solar

5. Postpone any funding for Cooler Classrooms

6. Your ideas/ thoughts?

Cons

Maintenance, running costs, and noise, water use.

Heat, tender, sunk cost, fundraising refunds.

?

Pros

More energy efficient. May yet work for the PLC.

Money could be put towards other capex projects.

?

​

Reason for dismissing the idea

Experts recommend this only for larger spaces. Our classrooms are spread over campus.

This will become an urgent matter once again when hot season arrives.

?

Big Ticket Items

2024-27

2023-24 Capital Budget:

3,300,000

2024-25 Capital Budget:

3,200,000

2025-26 Capital Budget

3,200,000

1. Cooler Classrooms
2. Maintenance Bldg
3. Design Lab /Makerspace
4. Covered Multipurpose Sports Court

Classroom AirCons & Green Solutions

N$2,500,000

Maintenance Building N$2,500,000

Multipurpose Sports Court (Cost?)

Educational Supplies

N$450,000

Educational Supplies

N$450,000

Design Lab / Makerspace (Cost?)

Water Filter, Chairs, Technology, Other

N$400,000

Water Filter, Tables, Technology, Cooler

N$416,000

Educational Supplies

N$460,000