Solar energy usage lagging in sun-rich Namibia

Despite being ranked as having some of the best sunlight globally, less than 12% of Namibians utilise solar energy.
The country has an average of 10 hours per day and 300 days of sunshine annually.

Deputy minister of mines and energy Kornelia Shilunga says although the country is working towards grid electrification, Namibia should also embrace off-grid electricity, such as solar.

“Unlike in the past, modern off-grid technologies have greatly improved, offering longer-lasting and more resilient battery storage. Investing in an off-grid system today is an investment that pays for itself over time, as households no longer have to pay monthly electricity tariffs,” says Shilunga.

Data from the latest census indicates that approximately 12% of Namibians use off-grid solutions, primarily solar systems, to meet their electricity needs.

Shilunga says the ministry is currently developing an off-grid programme that will create an enabling environment where end-users and private businesses can benefit from off-grid technologies.

“Expanding off-grid solutions will ensure that households that may have to wait another 15 years for grid electricity can begin benefiting immediately,” she says.

This push for expanded off-grid solutions aligns with global calls for accelerated renewable energy deployment.

International Renewable Energy Agency director general Francesco la Camera says: “Off-grid renewables are transforming lives, but we must go further, faster.”

Global off-grid renewable capacity has doubled since 2014, reaching 12.9GW in 2023 and providing power to 155 million people.

“However, 685 million people still lack electricity, and the energy access gap continues to widen, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa,” says La Camera.

He says closing this gap will require international collaboration.

“Closing this gap requires integrated energy planning, thoughtful policies, innovative financing, stronger local supply chains, and international collaboration to accelerate the deployment of off-grid renewable technologies,” says La Camera.

He says off-grid energy solutions should do more than just power homes. They should also help businesses and improve people’s lives.

Additionally, it is estimated that around 1 billion people rely on health facilities without reliable electrical connection, with 64% of health facilities in low-income countries lacking electricity, affecting the quality of health services.

“In our pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future for off-grid communities, we need to harness the manifold opportunities through the power of renewable energy sources to gain as much positive impact as possible,” says La Camera.

In southern Africa alone, data shows that there is still about a 40% electricity access deficit.