Energy – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

15 Sep

TransNamib temporarily pauses dual-fuel locomotive project

ObserverEnergy, National NewsNamibia's Green Hydrogen Programme

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s national transporter, TransNamib has decided to pause its ambitious dual fuel locomotive project as part of a strategic shift aimed at focusing on its core objectives, including the procurement of new rolling stock worth N$2.6 billion and plans to more than double its annual freight volume over the next five years. The decision was made to allow the national rail operator to channel its resources towards immediate priorities critical for the country’s rail infrastructure and economic development. The decision to reassess the dual fuel project was confirmed by James Mnyupe, the commissioner of Namibia's Green Hydrogen Programme…

05 Sep

Namibia secures N$730 million for green hydrogen future

ObserverEnergy, National NewsGlobal African Hydrogen Summit, Kadri Simson, Tom Alweendo

Martin Endjala Tom Alweendo, the minister of mines and energy, said continuous investment in the country’s green hydrogen projects strongly contradicts the belief that the development of a synthetic fuel industry in Namibia is merely a pipe dream. Alweendo made these remarks on Wednesday at the Global African Hydrogen Summit, where Team Europe signed an agreement to contribute N$730 million to advance Namibia's green industrialisation agenda. “Some people think we are going too slow, but we are also trying to go systematically to ensure we achieve what we need to be achieving,” Alweendo said. He said that the country reaches…

04 Sep

Namibia champions sustainable green industrialization

ObserverEnergy, National NewsGlobal African Hydrogen Summit, Harambee Prosperity Plan

Niël Terblanché Namibia's commitment to sustainable development and ecological preservation was the focal point of vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's address at the Global African Hydrogen Summit currently in progress in Windhoek. While addressing delegates on Wednesday, she stressed that environmental protection is both a natural responsibility and a constitutional obligation for Namibia, as the country strives to balance economic growth with ecological care. “For the past 34 years, Namibia has worked strategically to industrialise its economy sustainably and competitively,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that the nation has placed environmental sustainability at the forefront of its developmental objectives. “This approach is…

03 Sep

Electricity supply industry set for major upgrades

ObserverEnergy, National NewsElectricity Control Board, Promulgation of the Renewable Energy Grid Code

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electricity Control Board's (ECB) chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, has called on players in the electricity supply industry to stay informed about the latest technology in the industry. Kahimise was speaking at the stakeholder workshop in Windhoek on Tuesday, which was focused on the review and update of the distribution grid code and connection code that took place. ‘’As you all know, the current distribution grid code was promulgated in 2018 and has not been reviewed since then. However, there have been a lot of changes and technological advancements in the electricity supply industry, amongst others including…

03 Sep

Green Industries study launched

ObserverEnergy, Latest

The Localising Green Industries in Namibia study was launched in Windhoek. The launch took place at the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek, which commenced today. According to Kornelia Shilunga, the deputy minister of mines and energy, the study started in December 2023 and was completed in May 2024. She said the study was focussed on identifying actionable steps for green industrialisation in key industries such as iron, lithium and rare earth metals. Report: Martin Endjala.

29 Aug

Uranium market resurgence unfolding

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyBannerman Energy Ltd, Etango Project

CHAMWE KAIRA Bannerman Energy Ltd, which is developing the Etango project in the Erongo has said persistent cumulative supply gap now stands at approximately 150 million pounds of uranium oxide. Namibia stands to gain from increase in demand for uranium is it is one of the world’s largest producers of uranium. Bannerman said in a presentation to investors that Emerging Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology is driving further new demand additions. The company added that the industry has lost a decade of uranium exploration and project development post Fukushima. The other factors that are driving demand for uranium include the…

28 Aug

Namibia leads Africa’s Green Hydrogen revolution

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyCleanergy Solutions, Daures Hydrogen Village, Elof Hansson, HDF Energy, HyIron, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Hyrail, Zhero

Niël Terblanché Namibia is rapidly emerging as a leader in the green hydrogen industry, with eight active projects that are set to transform the nation's energy landscape and position it at the forefront of global green energy initiatives. These projects, which include Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Elof Hansson, HDF Energy, HyIron, Zhero, Cleanergy Solutions, Daures Hydrogen Village, and Hyrail, are developing essential production infrastructure across the country, from wind and solar farms to electrolysis facilities and desalination plants. According to James Mnyupe, Namibia's Green Hydrogen Commissioner, the heart of this green revolution is the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project, strategically located in…

21 Aug

Oil industry warned against fronting

ObserverEnergy, Main

Martin Endjala The deputy minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, has warned players in the oil and gas industry against fronting Namibians into positions. She made these remarks during the 2024 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference that started in Windhoek on Wednesday. “Ideally, all vacant positions should be advertised in local media to ensure that Namibians, who meet minimum requirements from all corners of the country, have an equal employment opportunity,” she said. This year's conference theme is “The Next Step Towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry.” Shilunga said she has learnt that some oil industry players are…

14 Aug

Ban on issuance of wholesale petroleum licenses lifted

ObserverEnergy, National NewsTom Alweendo, wholesale petroleum licenses

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Mines and Energy lifted the moratorium placed on the issuing of wholesale petroleum licenses on Wednesday. The moratorium that has been in place since 15 August 2022 will be lifted today. The Ministry instituted the moratorium to enhance its licensing systems and processes for better public service. The moratorium on issuing new retail licenses will, however, remain in place. “This is because there is evidence that the average demand for fuel has not increased, suggesting that issuing new retail licenses will negatively affect the viability of existing retail outlets. The Ministry will continue to assess…

01 Aug

Long-term uranium supply under the spotlight

ObserverEnergy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Bannerman Energy Ltd, which is developing the Etango project in the Erongo Region has said following the prohibiting of Russian uranium imports into the United States, uranium buyers quickly shifted their focus from immediate transactions to the long-term effects of the ban. The US has banned uranium imports from Russia as part of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Brandon Munro, Executive Chairman of Bannerman said many utilities are seeking waiver applications and adjusting their conversion and enrichment strategies to avoid supply interruptions if the waivers are not approved. “Additionally, depending on which entities receive waivers,…