With over 100 GW of technical wind potential, an average of 10 hours of strong sunlight per day and hydropower potential exceeding 10,000 GWh per year, Namibia represents a treasure trove of untapped renewable resources. To develop this potential, the country is deploying new projects across solar, wind and hydroelectric sectors, with a view to achieving 70% electricity generation from renewables and near-universal electricity coverage by 2030. The upcoming Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) – taking place later this month in Windhoek – supports the country’s National Renewable Energy Policy by uniting investors with clean energy prospects and exploring Namibia’s potential to become a renewable technology manufacturing hub.
Notable renewable projects underway in Namibia include Solarcentury Africa’s 60 MW SolNam solar project, set to achieve financial close by Q4 2024. German firm O&L Nexentury has started construction on a 100 MW solar plant near Windhoek, aiming for completion by Q3 2024. Meanwhile, national utility NamPower and CERIM Luderitz Energy have signed agreements for a 50 MW wind power plant in Lüderitz, expected to be operational by 2026. NamPower’s 600 MW Baynes hydroelectric plant on the Kunene River, set to supply power to both Angola and Namibia, is slated for completion in 2025.
Energy Capital & Power is a strategic partner of the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) – taking place in Windhoek on April 23-25, 2024. The 6th annual conference unites industry leaders, business executives and policymakers to engage in dialogue, exchange ideas, create new partnerships and identify strategies to foster a prosperous energy industry in Namibia and beyond. For more information, please visit https://www.nieconference.com/
In addition to its plethora of renewable resources, Namibia stands out for its solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing capabilities and potential to become a regional manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies. At 18.1¢, the manufacturing cost of a PV module in Namibia is slightly above that of China’s at 16.3¢. Along with Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana, Namibia represents one of the most cost-competitive solar panel manufacturers in Africa, owing to its status as a producer of critical inputs including lithium, nickel and cobalt. As part of its Green Industrialization Strategy, the country has already identified 15 potential industries for manufacturing, including renewable energy hardware, solar panels, copper cables, electrolyzers and wind turbines, along with the processing of battery materials, synthetic fuels and rare earth elements.
As demand for electric batteries and renewable components accelerates, Namibia could scale production by strengthening manufacturing infrastructure and offering tax incentives for renewable energy products. These measures, along with the cost advantages of locally-produced panels, would stimulate exports and reduce dependence on Chinese imports. Neighboring countries like Angola, with stated commitments to produce 200 MW of renewable energy by 2025, would stand to benefit from Namibia’s growing renewable industry and provide a built-in regional market.
Namibia’s expertise in solar panel manufacturing, along with its vast critical mineral deposits, also position the country to develop electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing capabilities. Investment in power, water, transport and logistics infrastructure is crucial to establishing efficient mineral processing facilities in-country and could pave the way for the development of a domestic automotive industry. Namibia has already announced plans to convert 96,500 light vehicles to battery EVs by 2025.
Namibia possesses all the features to become a regional renewable energy hub, not only in generating solar, wind and hydropower, but also in establishing an integrated clean energy supply chain. Building a renewables manufacturing base would be transformative for Namibia, triggering associated economic growth, job creation, technology and capacity building, along with an obvious boost to electrification. This and more will be unpacked at NIEC 2024, which will explore the latest renewable energy developments across southern Africa and chart Namibia’s path toward a sustainable energy future.
