CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia continued to rely heavily on imported electricity in 2025, although the contribution of domestic generation sources and independent power producers (IPPs) has varied significantly over the past decade.
According to NamPower’s 2026–2030 Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) stakeholder presentation, Namibia’s electricity supply mix has changed considerably between 2016 and 2025, with imports, NamPower generation, IPPs, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) market contributing to the national supply.
The presentation shows that imports accounted for 64% of Namibia’s electricity supply in 2016, while NamPower supplied 36%.
In 2017, imports accounted for 54% and NamPower generation 42%, with IPPs contributing 3% and other sources accounting for the balance.
The electricity supply mix changed further in subsequent years. In 2018, imports accounted for 50%, while NamPower contributed 19% and IPPs 8%. SAPP market purchases accounted for 23%.
In 2019, imports represented 63% of supply, compared with 28% from NamPower and 9% from IPPs.
The data also reflects the impact of drought years on the electricity sector, with Namibia’s reliance on different supply sources shifting as domestic generation and regional electricity availability changed.
By 2020, imports accounted for 53% of electricity supply, while NamPower contributed 33%. IPPs accounted for 7% and the SAPP market 7%.
In 2021, imports stood at 65%, while NamPower contributed 24%. IPPs accounted for 8% and the SAPP market 3%.
The share of imports remained substantial in 2022 at 53%, while NamPower contributed 20%, with other sources making up the remainder.
In 2023, NamPower’s contribution increased to 33%, while imports accounted for 45%. IPPs and other market sources also contributed to the supply mix.
The presentation shows a further shift in 2024, when imports accounted for 28% and NamPower supplied 23%, while other sources, including IPPs and the SAPP market, made up a larger share.
For 2025, the chart indicates that imports accounted for 24% of the electricity supply mix, while NamPower contributed 33%. Other sources accounted for the remaining share.
