Electricity in Namibia in 2022

In 2022, Namibia's electricity consumption relied heavily on net imports, making up more than half of its total electricity, specifically around 64%. The country is making notable strides in generating its own low-carbon electricity, with nearly a third of its electricity being clean. Hydropower, contributing over 20%, is the most significant source, followed by solar power at over 13%. Namibia's reliance on fossil fuels is minimal, with coal contributing just slightly more than 1% to its electricity mix. This stark contrast between fossil fuels and low-carbon sources highlights Namibia's commitment to green energy, despite still importing the majority of its electricity.

Suggestions

To boost its low-carbon electricity, Namibia can focus on expanding its solar energy capacity, as solar is already a significant part of its electricity generation. Learning from countries like Denmark and Uruguay, which have successfully harnessed wind energy for a considerable portion of their electricity, could offer valuable insights. These countries demonstrate the potential of wind energy as a complementary source to solar, potentially increasing Namibia's clean electricity share further. Additionally, while Namibia does not currently have nuclear energy, considering the success of nations like France or Slovakia in generating large amounts of low-carbon electricity with nuclear could offer a path forward to a more sustainable and self-sufficient electricity future.

History

Historically, Namibia's low-carbon electricity generation has seen varied changes, particularly in hydropower. Beginning in the early 1990s, hydropower generation fluctuated, with some years, like 1995 and 1998, experiencing noticeable increases, and others, like 1993 and 1996, seeing declines. The early 2000s saw modest growth in hydropower, with significant dips as well as rises occurring sporadically over the years. A notable development occurred in 2018, when solar power began contributing to the electricity mix, marking an essential step toward diversifying clean energy sources. Despite some challenges, such as a reduction in hydropower in 2021, the continual efforts to embrace low-carbon technologies emphasize Namibia's ongoing commitment to a greener electricity sector.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources