In Namibia, the current electricity consumption is primarily dependent on imports and low-carbon sources. Net imports make up more than half of the electricity consumption at about 59%, indicating a significant reliance on electricity coming from outside the country. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources contribute close to 40% of the total electricity demand. Among these clean energy sources, hydropower is the largest, accounting for almost 28.5% of the energy mix, while solar energy provides nearly 11%. This reliance on clean energy portrays an important step towards reducing the carbon footprint, but there is ample room for improvement, especially considering the potential benefits of expanding local low-carbon electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Namibia?
Unfortunately, electricity consumption in Namibia does not appear to be growing as one would hope. In fact, the per capita electricity consumption was reported at 1566 kWh in 2023, which represents a decline from the previous record high of 1873 kWh per person in 2014. This current figure is a decrease of more than 300 kWh per person. The situation for low-carbon electricity generation is equally concerning. Namibia's low-carbon electricity generation per person was 624 kWh in the latest year, down markedly from the record 934 kWh per person achieved in 1991. Such declines indicate a missed opportunity for Namibia to further embrace clean energy and reduce its reliance on imported electricity, which could potentially help stabilize energy independence and meet rising demand.
Suggestions
Looking to the future, Namibia has great potential to increase its low-carbon electricity generation, particularly through expanding solar energy, which has already made significant strides. By drawing inspiration from successful regions globally, Namibia can diversify and expand its clean energy portfolio. For example, regions such as Nevada have achieved nearly 27% of their electricity from solar, offering a clear roadmap for solar energy potential. In addition, considering the examples of countries like France and Ukraine, which derive more than half of their electricity from nuclear power, Namibia should explore the potential of nuclear energy as a stable, large-scale source of low-carbon electricity. By learning from these varying yet effective clean energy strategies, Namibia can construct a more robust green energy mix that serves its population's growing energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Namibia over the past few decades reflects both progress and challenges. In the mid-1990s, the country experienced fluctuations in hydropower generation with notable declines and rises, such as decreases of 0.3 TWh in 1994 and 1996, and an increase of 0.5 TWh in 1995. The early 2000s saw slight positive developments with small increases in hydropower generation, highlighting incremental growth. In the late 2010s, significant varied yearly changes were observed; hydropower dropped considerably in 2018 by 0.5 TWh, while solar energy saw an encouraging increase of 0.2 TWh the same year. The most recent changes include a promising rise in hydropower of 0.5 TWh in 2023. Despite some setbacks, this history demonstrates the potential for Namibia to improve and grow its low-carbon electricity sector through continuous adaptation and enhancement.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.