The Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN) has set up Task Forces to address challenges faced by the sector as it seeks to create an ecosystem that can convert the country’s various renewable energy opportunities into real economic activity.
During an industry engagement held in Windhoek on 17 September, in collaboration with JinkoSolar, REIAoN Chairperson Paulus Mulunga said it was vital for Namibian companies to participate in the conversion of the excellent renewable energy natural resources that the country has into tangible projects.
“We need Namibian companies participating. We need skilled Namibians. We need investment. We need appropriate regulation. We need quality standards. We need financing. And, we need stronger cooperation between government, regulators, utilities, the private sector, financial institutions, academia and development partners,” said Mulunga.
He said his vision was to position REIAoN as the central private-sector coordinating force for Namibia’s renewable energy industry and as a unified voice that contributes meaningfully to Namibia’s energy transition.
Mulunga said in doing so, REIAoN would focus on 5 key areas.
First, policy and regulatory engagement.
“We need to have constructive and consistent engagement with institutions such as the Electricity Control Board, NamPower, electricity distributors and the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. Our objective is to work with the relevant institutions to find practical solutions for challenges faced by our members. This includes issues such as generator licensing, Net metering, Battery Energy Storage Systems, electric vehicle regulation, distributed generation, mini-grids, Independent Power Producers, grid access, and the broader development of Namibia’s electricity market,” said the REIAoN Chairperson.
Quality and standards
He said as the renewable energy industry grows, there was need to ensure that the growth is accompanied by quality.
“We cannot build an industry where poor installations damage consumer confidence. We cannot have financial institutions financing systems without confidence in the quality of the installation. And we cannot expect insurance companies to support an industry where standards are unclear or inconsistently applied. This is why the PV GreenSeal and Installer Quality Task Force is particularly important,” he said.
REIAoN will seek to support the development of a professional installer environment where customers can have confidence in the people installing their systems.
Financing and investment
REIAoN will work towards bringing financial institutions, insurance companies and investors much closer to the renewable energy sector.
“A renewable energy project is not successful simply because the technology works. It must also be bankable. We, therefore, need to create greater understanding between the renewable energy industry and the financial sector. We need financial institutions to understand the risks. We need developers to understand what makes projects bankable. We need insurers to understand the technologies. And we need consumers and businesses to have access to appropriate financing models,” said Mulunga.
Local participation
REIAoN does not want Namibia to simply become a market where international companies sell equipment. Namibian businesses must also benefit, jobs must be created, skills must be upgraded, technology must be transferred.
Partnerships must be created that allow Namibian companies and professionals to participate meaningfully.
Regional opportunity – SADC
There’s a need for Namibia to look beyond its borders as it addresses the challenges of the energy sector.
“We are part of SADC. The region has significant energy challenges, and electricity demand will continue to grow. Namibia has an opportunity to position itself as an important renewable energy and electricity hub in the region. Our exceptional solar resource gives us an advantage,” said Mulunga.
REIAoN has set up six Task Forces, each focusing on a specific strategic area. Each will consist of members from the industry and relevant stakeholders.
PV GreenSeal & Installer Quality
This Task Force will focus on improving the quality and professionalism of solar PV installations in Namibia.
The objective is to strengthen consumer confidence, improve industry standards, support professional installers and create greater confidence among banks, insurers and other stakeholders.
Net Metering & Distributed Energy
Distributed energy is becoming increasingly important as more Namibians and businesses are generating their own electricity, and battery storage is becoming an increasingly important part of this equation.
There is therefore need for a regulatory environment that allows distributed energy to grow in a structured and sustainable manner.
This Task Force will engage on issues relating to Net metering, distributed generation and related regulatory matters, particularly in engagement with the relevant distributors and the ECB.
IPPs and Green Industries
Namibia needs private-sector investment in generation. IPPs can play an important role in increasing electricity generation, reducing dependence on imports and supporting economic growth.
This Task Force will focus on issues affecting IPPs, including engagement around legislation, licensing, grid access, power purchase arrangements and other barriers affecting private-sector participation.
It will also look at opportunities to link renewable energy development with broader green industries.
Electric Mobility
Electric mobility is no longer simply a conversation about vehicles. It is also about electricity demand, charging infrastructure, the grid, energy storage, investment and new business models.
As electric vehicles become more prevalent, Namibia needs to ensure that the policy and regulatory framework develops alongside the technology.
This Task Force will therefore look at opportunities and challenges associated with electric mobility and help position Namibia to participate in this emerging sector.
Government & Political Engagement
This Task Force will see to communicate the industry’s challenges to the country’s political leadership.
“We need to present solutions. We need to understand government’s priorities. And we need to ensure that renewable energy remains part of Namibia’s broader economic and industrialisation agenda,” said Mulunga.
Suppliers & Manufacturing
REIAoN says if Namibia is going to build a renewable energy economy, there’s need for a strong supply chain. And, where commercially viable, we need to explore opportunities for local manufacturing and value addition.
This Task Force will therefore look at opportunities for Namibian businesses to participate more meaningfully in the renewable energy supply chain.