Namibia’s Potential for Sustainability

There is a renewed interest in renewable energy in Namibia over the past decade.

With a premium placed on conventional energy sources, it is safe to say that there is enormous pressure placed on the reduction of carbon emissions.

In retrospect, the price at which renewable energy is supplied has decreased compared to the traditional methods of energy generation over the past few years.

The prospect of the Energy-Dock Energy-Pod, which is a decentralised modular energy-generating method that employs the most advanced energy generation, storage and management control technologies, may soon come to fruition in Namibia.

In this light, local municipalities may adopt this technology to provide energy as a service. Depending on the needs established by the programming, the energy pod may store and distribute energy from a variety of sources.

The energy pod is quick to deploy and does not require large areas for establishment thanks to a combination of photovoltaic energy generation, prime lithium iron storage cells, (or the integration of zinc bromide batteries).

It can be established as a grid-supported, grid-assisted, or even a stand-alone energy service.

Because of its various programming techniques and full remote management, each energy pod can be designed and programmed to meet specific requirements.

To accelerate the electrification agenda, the country needs to incorporate direct current micro-grids on a large scale in the more informal areas under the auspices of municipalities, instead of diluting the national grid.

Back in 2020, it was estimated that only 50% had access to electrical connectivity, which left a deficit of over 300 000 households without electrical connection, while considering population growth over the years.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has made a massive impact in scaling up access to electricity in rural areas, with programmes such as the Solar Revolving Fund. However, more measures can still be undertaken to speed up the process.

To speed up the National Electrification Strategy (NES), there is a need for more innovative methods of employing this agenda with the latest technologies. These DC micro-grids can be implemented in the informal urban and rural areas that will not receive any national network supply soon.

Employing the circular economy strategy in these settlements will ensure that these Namibians will have access to basic living amenities, and this would also spur economic activities within these areas.

While the progression of off-grid electrification depends mainly on policy support, there are components of comprehensive and accurate information aimed at investors and businesses that are lacking, which is the main hurdle in developing countries. However, over the past decade, the country provided new impetus, with measures that foster a more conducive environment for investors, which gives an appetite for further engagement.

Against this background, adopting a holistic approach and a long-term electrification strategy should be part of the foundation upon which this agenda is built.

The investments that are fed into renewable energy generation would invariably stimulate economic growth and development since the ever-increasing demand for energy continues to increase. Against this background, Namibia should provide a more conducive environment for prospective investors in the renewable industry.

Namibia will play a catalytic role in ensuring a just transition to low-carbon emissions.

Over the past decade, there has been a continued demand for high-quality energy supply and while Namibia is deemed a developing country, it ardently pursues its development agendas.

In this context, the country can leverage these opportunities to harness its abundant natural resources to attract technologies, which would convert the ambient flows of energy through the environment into a tangible resource for the end-user that could propagate into the global market as well.

A quintessential example would be the prospect of green hydrogen.

• Lilongeni Unoovene is the renewable energy consultant at Furntech Agencies based in Windhoek.

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