In 2023, Namibia's electricity landscape shows a heavy reliance on net imports, which account for more than half of the country's total electricity usage. At the same time, Namibia has made commendable strides in developing low-carbon electricity sources, with nearly 40% of its electricity coming from clean options like hydropower and solar energy. Hydropower is a significant contributor, making up almost 28%, while solar energy provides about 11%. This distribution highlights Namibia's emphasis on integrating sustainable energy sources into its energy grid, though there remains considerable room for growth to reduce reliance on imported electricity.
Data sources used on this page include Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Namibia?
Despite these efforts towards sustainable energy, electricity consumption in Namibia has decreased over the years. In 2023, electricity consumption per capita stood at 1566 kWh, which is notably lower than the peak consumption in 2014 of 1873 kWh/person. Likewise, low-carbon electricity generation has also seen a decline, with the current figure at 624 kWh/person, which is 309 kWh less than in 1991. This reduction in electricity consumption and low-carbon generation is alarming, especially in a world that demands increasing electrification to mitigate climate change impacts. It is crucial for Namibia to reverse this trend by focusing on increasing both overall electricity consumption and the share of low-carbon sources to promote a sustainable energy future.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Namibia can consider expanding its solar energy capacity, which has already proven to be a viable option for the country. Taking cues from successful regions can provide valuable insights. For example, Nevada and Lebanon have successfully harnessed solar energy, generating about 34% and 31% of their electricity from solar, respectively. Moreover, adopting nuclear energy, as seen in countries like France and Slovakia with shares of 67% and 66%, could offer a stable and substantial source of low-carbon electricity. By looking at these regions as models, Namibia could diversify its energy mix and increase the low-carbon share in its electricity generation portfolio significantly.
History
Reflecting on past trends, the 1990s and early 2000s saw fluctuating changes in Namibia's hydropower output, with modest increases and declines. The years leading up to 2019 showcased an embrace of solar power with a notable contribution in that year. Historically, hydropower experienced small yet periodic increments, particularly in 2005 and 2012, but also saw some declines, impacting stability. The consistent pattern of fluctuating hydropower underlines the need for a more diversified low-carbon strategy to ensure a stable and sustainable electricity supply. Initiatives in recent years, highlighted by the solar contribution in 2019, signify a promising direction towards ameliorating these challenges in the future.
