In 2023, Namibia's electricity consumption displays a diverse mix of sources, with significant reliance on external contributions. More than half of the electricity, about 59%, is derived from net imports. This reliance on external sources underscores a dependency that might need re-evaluation for energy independence. Close to 40% of Namibia's electricity comes from low-carbon sources, indicative of a commendable push towards cleaner energy. Within this green segment, hydropower leads by generating around 28% of the electricity, while solar contributes close to 11%, showing a promising uptake of solar energy in the country. The reliance on fossil fuels isn't explicitly detailed, but given the substantial import and the low-carbon contributions, it appears significant attention is given to sustainable energy sources, reinforcing a positive trajectory away from fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in Namibia?
Despite this drive towards clean energy, Namibia's overall electricity consumption per person has reduced from its peak in 2014. The current per capita consumption is about 1566 kWh, notably lower than the 1873 kWh record of 2014. This decline is significant, marking a reduction of over 300 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person has also seen a dip from its previous high of 934 kWh in 1991 to 624 kWh in 2023, marking another decrease of over 300 kWh. These declines in both overall and low-carbon energy consumption can be reasons for concern, reflecting either challenges in maintaining or expanding energy infrastructure or shifts in energy policy that need addressing.
Suggestions
To reverse these trends and boost low-carbon electricity generation, Namibia could capitalize on its existing solar potential, given its already notable contribution. By expanding solar installations, Namibia could enhance electricity independence while increasing low-carbon output. Learning from regions such as Lebanon and Greece, where solar contributes over 25% of electricity, Namibia can model similar success, given its conducive geographic conditions. Additionally, regions like Iowa or Denmark demonstrate the potential of wind energy as a robust complement to solar, with wind generating over half of the electricity supply. While nuclear isn't currently part of Namibia’s portfolio, looking to countries like France, where nuclear provides a significant 69% of electricity, could offer insights into diversifying Namibia's low-carbon energy strategy for a more sustainable energy future.
History
Tracing the history of low-carbon electricity in Namibia reveals a journey marked by fluctuations, particularly in hydropower, which has seen both advancements and setbacks over the decades. In the mid to late 1990s, changes in hydropower generation were mixed, with marginal increases like 0.5 TWh in 1995 followed by declines. The new millennium did witness some stabilization, with steady gains such as a 0.2 TWh increase in 2000. Since 2018, solar energy began contributing positively with a 0.2 TWh increase. The recent resurgence in hydropower by 0.5 TWh in 2023 signifies a return to growth. Despite these efforts, the intermittent nature of hydropower, seen in declines like the 0.5 TWh decrease in 2018, highlights the need for a more resilient infrastructure that can accommodate and integrate other low-carbon technologies, ensuring a sustainable and reliable energy future for Namibia.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.