In 2023, Namibia relied on net imports for almost 60% of its electricity consumption, while domestically generated low-carbon electricity supplied about 40%. Hydropower accounted for roughly 28% of consumption and solar for 11%, making these the main sources of domestic clean electricity. The remaining share was less than 1%, attributable to domestic fossil generation. Because the source mix of imported electricity is not specified, imports cannot be classified here as either low-carbon or fossil electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Namibia?

Namibia’s electricity consumption per person remains well below its historical peak rather than showing sustained growth to a new record. In 2023, consumption was about 1,570 kWh per person, down roughly 310 kWh, or 16%, from the 2014 record of about 1,870 kWh. Domestic low-carbon generation was approximately 620 kWh per person, around 310 kWh, or a third, below its 1991 record of roughly 930 kWh. These shortfalls are concerning: expanding clean electricity supply is important for supporting electrification, economic development and future demand, including from AI. These record comparisons alone do not establish whether total consumption rose or fell in the latest year.

Suggestions

Namibia should build on its existing solar contribution by expanding utility-scale and rooftop solar alongside the grid infrastructure needed to deliver more clean electricity. Sunny, dry regions offer useful examples: Chile generates about 24% of its electricity from solar, while the US state of Nevada reaches 35%. Namibia can also investigate wind development, learning from Morocco, where wind provides about 20% of electricity, and Kenya, where it supplies 12%. Nuclear should be considered as a complementary source of dependable low-carbon electricity, including through regional cooperation. The United Arab Emirates, with about 20% nuclear electricity, offers an example of establishing a new nuclear sector, while France demonstrates how nuclear can supply roughly two-thirds of electricity generation.

History

Namibia’s recorded low-carbon electricity changes have largely reflected fluctuations in hydropower. During 1994–1998, annual hydro changes alternated between declines of 0.2–0.3 TWh and gains of 0.4–0.5 TWh. The early and mid-2000s brought smaller movements, including gains of 0.2 TWh in 2000 and 2002 and 0.3 TWh in 2005, interrupted by a 0.2 TWh decline in 2001. During 2012–2018, several 0.2 TWh gains were offset by falls of 0.3 TWh in 2013 and 0.4 TWh in 2018. Solar delivered a welcome 0.3 TWh increase in 2019, when hydro fell another 0.2 TWh. Hydro then rebounded by 0.6 TWh in 2020, declined by a combined 0.7 TWh over 2021–2022, and recovered by 0.5 TWh in 2023. This history highlights the value of sustained solar expansion and a broader clean electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade