STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN - Ministry of Mines and Energy

NNAA MMRREEPP
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PPOOLLI IICCI IIEESS AASS OOUUTTLLI IINNEEDD IINN I TTHHEE WWHHI IITTEE PPAAPPEERR OONN EENNEERRGGYY PPOOLLI IICCYY
Where do Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency stand though? Has
progress in this sector been as significant and groundbreaking for the Southern
Africa Region?
Frankly speaking, the answer is No.
If one looks at this sector on a Regional basis, South Africa now appears to be
the leader in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Since 1998, South Africa
has not only promulgated its own Energy Policy, but also in 2003 a White Paper
specifically on Renewable Energy. Furthermore, South Africa has embarked on
several important renewable energy initiatives including, biodiesel production,
large-scale wind turbines, off-grid electricity production using woodgas, and the
establishment of a Directorate of Renewable Energy within the Department of
Minerals and Energy.
I believe Namibia has not been able to maintain its visionary edge in Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency due to the following reasons:
♦ There continues to be a wide-spread lack of understanding and
acknowledgement amongst energy stakeholders regarding the important
opportunities that renewable energy can offer to Namibia – particularly with
respect to the increased energy and economic security that would result by
creating a more diversified energy supply sector that is less prone to
Regional and international problems of limited resources, politics and
currency fluctuations.
♦ There has been a lack of honest reflection by energy stakeholders regarding
the limitations of renewable energy – in particular the financial barriers and
the high degree of consumer awareness that renewable energy technologies
require.
♦ There has been a sense of complacency in Namibia regarding sustainable
energy planning, since we came to accept as normal and everlasting the
exceptionally inexpensive electricity supply rates from South Africa.
♦ There has been too little coordination within the renewable energy sector and
too much experimentation with consumers. This especially applies to rural
consumers, which often had to bear the brunt when technological
experiments failed. Namibia’s solar energy fee-for-service approach is one
example.
But times are changing. There is an unprecedented level of awareness about
energy in Namibia. This awareness is enhanced each time the petrol and diesel
prices need to be increased, and when consumers are notified of possible
electricity interruptions in the very near future.
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