Namibia imports 100% of its oil and gas requirements, and more than 60% of its
electricity demand. This electricity demand satisfies only about 44% of the population
living mainly in the urban centres. Namibia is endowed with abundant sunshine, and
other natural energy resources like wind and biomass. Even the Benguela currents in the
Atlantic Ocean provide excellent opportunities to harness the kinetic energy of the water
and convert it into electricity. Proven gas reserves off the Atlantic coast could generate
up to 800 MW of electricity for at least 15 years, yet the majority of the Namibian
population continues to rely on natural flows of energy and has no access to modern
energy supply in the form of electricity. Many therefore rely on traditional sources of
energy such as direct sunshine and firewood. Alternative energy opportunities exist,
however, and Namibia could become the example of a country using 100% electrification
in sub-Saharan Africa.
Lack of access to modern energy systems slows down the development of any country, and
its participation in the modern economy remains marginal. The country would continue to
rely on importation of goods manufactured elsewhere, and on selling its resources as raw
materials without any meaningful value addition. This is not a sustainable way forward
and in the long run may cause a collapse of the economy. Any serious government will
work hard to provide modern energy technologies to its population, and add value to its
raw materials in order to benefit the local citizenry. Sometimes the decision to supply
electricity to all is not based on the economics of the day, but is rather politically based,
with the hope that economic benefits will accrue in the long run.