Energy – Windhoek Observer

17 Oct

NASRIA eyes oil and gas sector

ObserverEnergy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia Special Risks Insurance Association Limited (NASRIA) is exploring possibilities of tailored products that the firm can offer to the emerging oil and gas sector following discoveries in the Orange Basin, chairman Adrianus Vugs has said. The company recently handed over a dividend of N$16 million for the 2024 financial year to its sole shareholder, the government. Vugs said that the dividend handover is a testament to the collective efforts of NASRIA’s dedicated team, the guidance of the Board, and the strategic direction provided by government. “This dividend is not just a financial transaction; it represents the culmination…

10 Oct

Stand-alone off-grid solar solutions needed

ObserverEnergy, Observer Money

Off-grid solar energy is emerging as a game-changer for Southern Africa's power challenges. Patrick Tonui, Head of Policy and Regional Strategy at GOGLA, is at the forefront of this revolution. In a conversation with Observer Money, he discussed how off-grid solar is helping to close energy gaps in Namibia and South Africa, providing affordable and sustainable options for millions of people. Observer Money (OM): How will off-grid solar help with the power deficit in Southern Africa, including Namibia? Patrick Tonui (PT): Off-grid solar solutions can play a key role not just as the quickest, most efficient way to provide first-time…

06 Oct

Cirrus Capital warns against investing public money in green hydrogen

ObserverEnergy, MainGH2Namibia, Rowland Brown

Ester Mbathera Cirrus Capital, a corporate advisory, capital raising, and research company, has warned against public borrowing or any use of taxpayer subsidies for the development of green hydrogen initiatives. In a commentary released last week, the company’s founder, Rowland Brown, said the warning stems from the risks surrounding green hydrogen. “We further note that Namibians should hope that the hydrogen hype delivers. However, using Namibian public funds for this is nothing short of reckless, especially given the ample other, very real, demands on the public purse. Using Namibian tax-payers funds, whether from the revenue of today or through borrowing…

03 Oct

Namcor and SLB collaborate for suitable energy

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyFrans Kalenga, SLB Digital Forum 2024

Stefanus Nashama The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) and the global energy technology company SLB have signed an agreement to collaborate in advancing suitable technology in Namibia. The Namcor senior manager of sustainable energies, Frans Kalenga, announced the agreement on Thursday. “This agreement marks a greater step in our relationship towards building strong partnerships with international players, and we're excited to see the fruits of the seeds planted today. Our collaboration with SLB will play a key role in the sustainable development of Namibia’s energy resources, including recent oil discoveries, which marks an exciting era for our upstream sector,”…

02 Oct

Alpha Petroleum denies ties with Nigerian firm

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyAlpha Energy Nigeria, Alpha Petroleum (Pty) Ltd.

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Alpha Petroleum (Pty) Ltd., a Namibian company in the oil and gas business, as well as offshore diamond mining, has refuted claims of having a connection with Alpha Energy Nigeria. This is in response to an article that was published in NewsGuide Africa and Business Express Namibia claiming that Alpha Petroleum has engaged Alpha Energy Nigeria and their representative to initiate offshore diamond mining operations under contract with Namdeb. Ashley Brendell, representing Alpha Petroleum, said in a statement that these claims are false and misleading. “These articles contain significant inaccuracies and misrepresentations, which are both damaging and completely…

30 Sep

Namibia eyes global leadership in green hydrogen production

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyElon Musk, Green Hydrogen, James Mnyupe

Hertta-Maria Amutenya Namibia is positioning itself as a major player in the global green hydrogen economy, leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources to power the production of this clean fuel. In recent discussions with leading innovators such as Tesla founder Elon Musk, Namibia’s commissioner for green hydrogen, James Mnyupe, outlined the country’s vision for the future of green hydrogen. The meeting, which took place during a high-level event in New York last month, focused on Tesla’s Energy Master Plan Part 3. Mnyupe emphasised that the country's Green Hydrogen Blueprint aligns closely with Musk’s vision, highlighting that Namibia’s abundant natural resources…

29 Sep

Ministry of mines and energy assures investor stability

ObserverEnergy, National News

Ester Mbathera The executive director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Penda Ithindi, has reassured investors that Namibia is committed to maintaining stability in the sector beyond the elections. Ithindi was addressing questions posted by the Windhoek Observer last week regarding the potential impact of the upcoming November elections on Namibia's oil and gas industry. “Namibia is governed by the rule of law, and all decisions are made within the confinement of the law and by the Constitution. Namibia has seen change in leadership four times already, and no disruption has occurred during those times,” he said. He assured…

23 Sep

NAMPOA empowers journalists with in-depth insights into oil and gas industry

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyEnvironmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)

Niël Terblanché As Namibia’s upstream petroleum industry continues to grow, driven by significant offshore discoveries, public interest has surged. Along with growing interest comes a pressing need for the media to provide accurate, well-informed coverage of the sector. In response, the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association (NAMPOA) is hosting a press seminar aimed at enhancing journalists’ understanding of the oil and gas industry, particularly its upstream operations. Scheduled for 24 September 2024, this seminar seeks to bridge the information gap between the oil and gas industry and the public by equipping media professionals with the tools necessary for informed reporting. The…

23 Sep

A 50MW solar power plant to be constructed near Ruacana

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyCathral Investment Seventy-Seven (Pty) Ltd

Martin Endjala A 50-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant is set to be constructed near Ruacana if a proposal to build it is approved. Cathral Investment Seventy-Seven (Pty) Ltd. (CI77), plans to develop a 50 MW solar power plant on a site at the NamPower Kunene substation in the Omusati region. “The plant is not for local supply, but it's for international supply and central Namibia,” Enviro Dynamics’s environmental consultant, Norman Van Zyl said during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer on Monday. Enviro Dynamics has been instructed to apply for an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) on behalf of CI77.…

19 Sep

Hyphen targeting to supply excess electricity to grid

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyENERTRAG SE, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Nicholas Holdings Limited

Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, the green hydrogen development company has been awarded the rights from the government following a competitive tender process, to develop Namibia’s first gigawatt scale green hydrogen project. Hyphen is a joint venture between controlling shareholder ENERTRAG SE and Nicholas Holdings Limited. This week, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy informed Windhoek Money that the Hyphen’s project is being developed as the first step in the implementation of the government’s strategy for the development of a large-scale green hydrogen industry in various regions in Namibia to support both economic growth in Namibia and assist the world in achieving its decarbonisation goals.…