Namibia has set an inclusive and universal energy supply across the country as a primary target to be accomplished by the year 2030. This indicates immense opportunity for the continent’s energy sector.

While the country is resource rich (with over 11TW of untapped solar energy), more than sufficient to meet domestic needs, the energy systems and services still remain vastly underdeveloped.

Economic activities in Namibia are heavily dependent on energy input. The more the economy expands the more energy it requires to grow. To fully industrialise, energy is a primary enabler in driving Namibia’s economic development activities.

The country is investing USD$575 million in energy generation and transmission between 2020 and 2022 for the provision of affordable and reliable solar and wind power generation.

On average, Namibia generates around 40% of its own electricity demand and imports 60% from the neighbouring South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as from the SADC Power Pool.

The renewable energy sub sector is still small and its contribution to energy generation is petite.

• Local generated electricity stood at 28% of annual consumption
• Imported electricity stood at 78%
• Local renewable energy contributed 8%
• Importation cost US$200 million
• Investment Opportunity created to generate 150 MW by 2022
• Investment Opportunity created to have 70% local generated by 2030

Namibia has established a legal framework specifying market structures, roles and terms for investments based on the Electricity Supply Market Model. A transparent and predictable licensing and tariff framework including cost-reflective tariffs all forms of regulatory environment is in place. Prominent policies and plans such as the National Energy Policy, Renewable Energy Policy, Independent Power Producer Policy, National Integrated Resource Plan and the Modified Single Buyer (MSB) model have been developed to create a conducive environment for private sector investment.