The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has called for the inclusion of a base load power plant in Namibia’s future energy planning, stressing that such a facility is essential to securing the country’s electricity supply amidst high dependency on imports.
Speaking during a recent energy stakeholder engagement, ECB Executive for Technical Regulation Petrus Johannes said Namibia’s over-reliance on imported power poses a significant risk to energy security.
“Given that Namibia relies heavily on imports, we, as regulators, would like to see in the next ministerial determination the inclusion of a base load plant,” said Johannes. “This is crucial to effectively address and resolve the issue of security of supply in the country.”
His remarks come in the wake of a new ministerial determination in which 120 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity have been allocated to NamPower and independent power producers (IPPs).
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy typically issues such determinations to guide future power generation projects.
While welcoming the latest capacity addition, Johannes warned that it remains insufficient to meet Namibia’s growing energy needs in the long term.
He noted that the country’s national peak electricity demand stands at just under 700 MW, with renewable energy currently contributing around 30% of the total mix.
This includes output from the Ruacana Hydropower Station — the country’s largest generation facility — alongside a growing number of solar energy projects producing between 5 MW and 20 MW each.
“As a country, we import just below 60% of our power from neighbouring countries. However, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact sources of these imports, as each neighbouring country has its own energy mix,” Johannes explained.
He said although Namibia has a diversified energy mix, the country’s dependence on imports presents a persistent threat to supply reliability, especially during regional energy shortages.
NamPower Chief Executive Officer Simson Haulofu echoed these concerns, noting that while Namibia is making strides in expanding its power generation and diversifying sources, major transmission limitations remain a critical obstacle.
“We draw this from the fact that we have major transmission highways connecting us to the southern power grid, particularly to the Eskom system, and to the north, linking us to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and other countries in the Southern African Power Pool,” Haulofu said.
Despite these regional linkages, he noted that physical infrastructure constraints still limit the efficient flow of electricity, particularly as the country integrates more renewable energy into its national grid.
“Significant investment is needed to continue addressing and reducing these limitations,” he said. “The challenge isn’t just within Namibia’s borders; sometimes neighbouring countries also experience transmission issues, which prevent us from trading as much as we would like.”
Haulofu added that NamPower’s Integrated Resource Plan outlines long-term measures to bolster Namibia’s grid and improve energy reliability. However, he cautioned that realising these improvements will take time and sustained investment.
