Energy – Windhoek Observer

08 Jun

Govt eyes national EV charging network

Energy, National News

Patience Makwele The Ministry of Works and Transport on Thursday launched a pilot electric vehicle (EV) charging station at its headquarters in Windhoek, a move the government says could pave the way for a nationwide charging network as Namibia prepares for increased adoption of electric vehicles. Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi announced the initiative in the National Assembly on Thursday, describing it as a strategic pilot project that will help determine the feasibility of expanding EV charging infrastructure across the country. The charging station, which was developed by the ministry's in-house engineers, will initially be available to government employees…

13 Apr

Why oil & gas conferences still matter – Even in a turbulent market

Energy, Opinions

Fernando Y. G. Sylvester,CEO, Lamda Energy This year has been a stark reminder that energy markets are unpredictable, volatile, and deeply interconnected with geopolitics, macroeconomics, and human behaviour. As I prepare to moderate two panels at the Namibian International Energy Conference (NIEC2026) here in Windhoek, I keep hearing a familiar question: Why do oil and gas conferences still matter? In an era of digital communication, instant deal-making tools, and Zoom rooms everywhere, are we really still gaining value by gathering in person? The short answer is yes. But the long answer, the one shaped by 17 years working across the…

08 Apr

Amutse wants electricity for all by 2028

Energy, National News

Patience Makwele The minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse, has called on regional electricity distributors to make electricity reliable, affordable and accessible to all Namibians by 2028. Amutse made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with board members and senior management of the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) in Ondangwa. The meeting followed complaints from communities about high tariffs, connection costs and service delivery. “Electricity is not a luxury. It is a necessity,” Amutse said. He said access remains uneven, with affordability limiting access for many households. “If we are talking about accessibility, we are not talking…

28 Jan

Why partnerships matter in the clean energy journey

Energy, Opinions

Gift Kandukira Each year on 26 January, the International Day of Clean Energy reminds the world that the energy transition is not optional; it is foundational to development, resilience and competitiveness. For Namibia, energy is the backbone of household wellbeing, economic growth and industrial productivity. It also speaks directly to SDG7: universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services, a growing share of renewables, and faster energy-efficiency gains. Clean energy is not a peripheral sustainability initiative; it is an operational necessity and a national responsibility. Yet the transition to cleaner energy is not achieved through a single project or…

07 Dec

NNN says Amutse is the ‘right man’ for mines and energy ministry

Energy, Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Modestus Amutse’s leadership record at regional level strengthens the experience he brings to his new role as minister of industries, mines and energy. Amutse’s appointment took effect on 2 December 2025. According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, Amutse's background positions him well to “administer and execute the functions of the government” at a critical time for the country. She said the appointment follows the recent regional and local authority elections, where Namibians reaffirmed their trust in Swapo. She said the eighth administration is focused on quality service delivery, accountability and the implementation of national priorities. “This appointment…

19 Nov

Nedbank names new energy leader to its board

Energy, Observer Money

Staff Writer Nedbank Group has appointed energy executive George Njenga to the boards of Nedbank Group and Nedbank Limited as an independent non-executive director, effective 1 December 2025. He will also join the bank’s Sustainability and Climate Resilience Committee. Njenga has more than 30 years of experience in renewable energy, power generation, and large infrastructure projects across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He is the executive chairman of Lake Turkana Wind Power, Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest wind energy project. He has also served as CEO of A.P. Moller Capital’s East Africa platform and led GE Renewable Energy’s Grid and Hydro…

19 Nov

Rising nuclear investments to accelerate industry growth

Energy, Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy chairman Cliff Lawrenson says the expansion of nuclear capacity in many countries will drive industry growth, especially in the 2030s. He said a new uranium supply takes more than a decade to reach the global market because of strict approval systems, and in some countries with large resources, such as Australia, restrictive public policies also limit development. Lawrenson said more nations are investing in new or expanded nuclear power to meet decarbonisation and energy security goals. He noted that while European countries are focused on transforming their energy mix, the United States is prioritising nuclear energy…

19 Nov

From discovery to delivery: Strategic readiness for Namibia’s first oil

Energy, Observer Money, Opinions

Nelson Lucas Namibia stands on the cusp of a transformative era. With recent oil and gas discoveries positioning us as a potential energy powerhouse in sub-Saharan Africa, the path to first oil is no longer a distant vision; it is a fast-approaching reality. But the journey from discovery to production is not automatic. It demands readiness, collaboration, and strategic decision-making at every level of our economy and society. Our trajectory can draw valuable lessons from countries like Guyana, which moved from discovery to first oil in just four years, a world record in the oil and gas sector. Their success…

27 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Oil Dreams and Hard realities: Namibia must demand good jobs from foreign investment

Editorial, Energy, Featured, Opinions

Namibia’s growing oil and gas ambitions have once again come under scrutiny, and rightly so. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has sounded a sober warning that, despite the euphoria surrounding recent discoveries, the promise of thousands of jobs may not materialise as projected. In a country where unemployment hovers around 33%, and where the youth, the majority of the population, bear the brunt, it is not just a question of how much oil lies beneath our seabed, but whether that wealth will translate into decent, sustainable livelihoods for Namibians. The mirage of job creation According to government projections,…

14 Aug

Nandi-Ndaitwah vows to guard citizens’ share of oil wealth

Energy, National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia will not tolerate practices in the oil and gas industry that deny citizens their fair share of benefits, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned. She said the government will strictly monitor activities to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and the local content policy. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference on Wednesday in a speech delivered on her behalf by Kornelia Shilunga, head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency. The third edition of the conference draws 1,161 delegates and 73 exhibitors and takes place in Windhoek under the theme “From Exploration to…