Energy – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

08 Jul

Leading green hydrogen with strategic partnerships and cutting-edge research

ObserverEnergy, Opinions

Chris Movirongo Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the global community, but it also presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for significant economic growth and expansion. For countries like Namibia, the climate emergency presents a chance to take control of its future energy needs and secure economic prosperity. As well as being an environmental imperative, decarbonation through the replacement of fossil fuels is the pathway to a stronger, more resilient economy and nation. It provides plentiful low-cost green energy and enhanced global competitiveness and diversifies the economy to future-proof it for a carbon-counting world. Namibia holds…

03 Jul

Electricity tariff hike on hold

ObserverEnergy, Main

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has put the implementation of the electricity tariff hike on hold. The electricity tariffs will remain unchanged until 30 June 2025. This was announced by the board's CEO, Robert Kahimise, on Wednesday. “This effectively means that the consumers will pay the same tariffs as per the schedule of approved tariffs for 2023/2024. The ECB Board will allow Licensees to deviate from the approved 2024/2025 Approved Schedule of Tariffs as per Section 27(3) of the Electricity Act,” Kahimise said. The new tariffs were supposed to come into effect on 1 July. Last week, the…

02 Jul

Caltex re-enters Namibian fuel retail market

ObserverEnergy, National News

Niël Terblanché Chevron Brands International LLC (Chevron), a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, has announced its re-entry into Namibia’s retail fuel market through a long-term retail trademark licensing agreement with Bachmus Oil and Fuel Supplies (PTY) LTD (Bachmus). According to Juliana Loh, Chevron’s Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor, the new partnership marks the return of the Caltex brand to the Namibian fuel retail sector. Loh said that Chevron has appointed Bachmus as the licensee for the Caltex brand, entrusting them with the sale, marketing, and distribution of Caltex fuels across Namibia. This agreement aims to expand the Caltex-branded service station network throughout…

02 Jul

Local content in oil & gas: a catalyst for shared growth

ObserverEnergy, Opinions

Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni In light of the recent oil and gas discoveries in Namibia, local content was a central focus at the recently concluded 6th edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference, which was attended by over 750 delegates from 46 nations. In the oil and gas industry, local content refers to the development of local industries, workforce, and resources to support the operations of international oil companies within a country. For Namibia, fostering ‘Namibian Content’ can significantly enhance economic growth, social development, and technological advancement. As highlighted by the World Bank, “Implementing effective local content policies can drive economic…

01 Jul

GOOD NEWS:

ObserverEnergy, Latest

The Ministry of Mines and Energy of Namibia has announced a decrease in fuel prices.The price of Unleaded Petrol 95 will drop by 80 cents per litre, 50ppm Diesel by 60 cents per litre, and 10ppm Diesel by 70 cents per litre.According to the announcement, the lower prices will be effective from 3 July.In addition to the downward price adjustments for consumers, the ministry also increased the industry margin by 23 cents to 189 cents per litre and the dealer's margin for service station operators by 9 cents per litre to 192 cents per litre. Report: Niël Terblanché

19 Jun

Namibia’s Oil and Gas have potential to improve overall economy without adverse on other sectors

ObserverEnergy, Opinions

Josef Keas Sheehama Although Namibia's oil and gas industry has the potential to boost the country's economy, careful management and diversification are essential to ensuring that this potential is realized without detrimental effects on other industries. Namibia, along with other African countries, is emerging as an attractive oil and gas opportunity due to legislative changes that make the market more appealing. Namibia's partnership with the world community and local enterprises reveals a desire for an industrialized future by utilizing its resources. Namibia's immense untapped resources and favourable investment climate are significant drivers of the sector's future economic growth. Namibia has…

19 Jun

NamPower fears potential electricity shortage

ObserverEnergy, Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja NamPower is monitoring a potential energy crisis following Zambia’s decision to recall 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the export market, which has raised concerns about Namibia's energy supply. Cornelius Mweetwa, Zambia's minister for information and media, announced this week that Zesco, the country's state-owned power utility, will recall at least 100 MW of electricity to meet local utilisation needs. Mweetwa emphasised that Zambia is currently contractually bound to supply the export market but is actively pursuing a smooth exit plan from these agreements. Namibia currently imports 120 MW of electricity from Zambia following a reduction in exports…

13 Jun

Renewable energy initiatives drive greater independence

ObserverEnergy, National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is making substantial strides in its journey towards energy independence by focusing on renewable energy projects that aim to bridge the gap in electricity generation, especially in rural areas. Penda Ithindi, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said that harnessing Namibia's vast renewable resources is a credible game changer for the country. Currently, Namibia generates only about 45% of its total energy demand, relying heavily on electricity imports from neighbouring countries like South Africa and Zambia. According to Ithindi, this reliance on imported energy stresses the urgency of developing local renewable energy sources…

11 Jun

Engen and Shell service stations to undergo divestiture

ObserverEnergy, National News

Martin Endjala Following Vito Emerald Bidco (Pty) Ltd's acquisition of Engen Ltd, including its subsidiary Engen Namibia (Pty) Ltd ("Engen Namibia"), the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) has mandated a major divestiture to ensure competitive market conditions. This decision is part of the conditions imposed on the acquisition, as outlined in Notice No. 805 of Government Gazette No. 8274, dated 12, 2023. The Competition Commission's conditions necessitate the divestiture and transfer of 58 Engen and Shell service stations, along with their retail supply agreements, on reasonable commercial terms. This move is designed to address concerns about the merged entity acquiring a…

09 Jun

Hydrogen projects threaten Namibia’s biodiversity

ObserverEnergy, Main

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE) has issued a strong warning against a proposed "green" hydrogen project that threatens to transform one of Namibia's most significant biodiversity hotspots into an industrial site. Launched on International Biodiversity Day, the position paper underscores the severe environmental consequences of the project, which aims to produce hydrogen using renewable energy but at the cost of biodiversity loss. Chris Brown, CEO of the NCE, argued that hydrogen production at the expense of biodiversity should be termed “red hydrogen” rather than “green hydrogen.” “The term ‘green hydrogen’ refers to hydrogen produced using 100% renewable…