Energy

NAMIBIA’S ENERGY SECTOR (STATUS QUO)

Most of Namibia’s electricity is generated by hydropower.
Namibia has high solar irradiation values which clearly stand out even by African standards and rank among the highest in the world. With approximately 300 sunny days and over 3,000 sun hours per year, the annual solar irradiation reaches values of 2,200 to 2,400 kWh/m². Due to the constantly high irradiation, solar panel systems in Namibia generate 2.5x as much electricity compared to systems in some countries.
Namibia is highly dependent on imports to meet its electricity needs, with the share of imported electricity standing at 60%‑70%.
Namibia has become an oil exploration hotspot after several discoveries in recent years along the coast, It has not yet produced any oil or gas, but there has been discoveries estimated at 21 billion barrels.

Namibia's abundant world-class wind and solar resources present significant opportunities for the country. Backed by robust policies to help harness these resources, renewable energy could play a central role in advancing Namibia’s vision for sustainable development and economic growth, driving local value creation and industrialisation.
Namibia is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in the production and export of green hydrogen, contributing significantly to the planet’s decarbonization efforts.
Namibia has Biomass potential and abundant wind and solar resource.
Namibia is one of the top-five locations globally that is blessed with collocated wind and solar resources, near to sea and land export routes.
In the bioenergy sector, invasive bush wood (also known as encroacher bush) presents opportunities for biomass plants to generate and utilize wood chips, biochar, pellets, or for wood gasification
Renewables can lower costs, reduce import dependency and increase energy security for Namibia’s electricity sector, renewables can also hold significant advantages for Namibia’s mining industry, which currently accounts for 14% of the country’s GDP and 21% of electricity consumption.

The recent discoveries in the Orange basin, currently estimated at ~21 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Once proven it will significantly elevate the country's global and continental rankings.
Placing Namibia in the Top 20 Globally and Top 3 in Africa behind Libya and Nigeria.

World Bank ranks Namibia #1 globally in terms of highest average practical PV power potential output per installed capacity (kWh/kWp)). On average of 2,200 - 3,000 kWh/m2/a for and minimal cloud cover.
Annually 450 million metric tonnes of biomass can be harvested sustainably from invader bush
Wind potential of over 100 GW, 2,800 MWh/ MW with a capacity factor of around 50%.

Fitch Solutions' SSA Green Hydrogen Index recognition.
Namibia identified as a bright spot for hydrogen production.
Factors: Commitment to non-hydropower renewables and large-scale green hydrogen production plans.

In 2022, the Yale’s Environmental Performance Index ranks Namibia globally at:
#15 in terms of climate policy,
#4 in Greenhouse Gas Intensity Growth Rate and
#1 in projected GHG emissions in 2050.
Significance: On a path toward carbon neutrality by 2050, or possibly even sooner.