SUZIE SHEFENI
This year was marked by increasing technological competition.
While most attention fell towards artificial intelligence and its capacity to capture the silicon valley modus of “moving fast and breaking things”, the International Energy Agency’s The State of Energy Innovation 2025 report also showed that clean energy technology was not shielded from these breakthroughs.
Across the globe, government spending on energy research and development continues to rise as well as private sector funding on low emissions demonstration projects in hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels production, nuclear and carbon dioxide transport and storage.
In Namibia, clean energy has also occupied headspace: the 6th National Development Policy outlines green hydrogen, oil and gas and nuclear as focus areas for Namibia’s development trajectory. So what lies ahead for 2026 and what should practitioners and enthusiasts alike look out for?
Renewables, renewables, renewables
Currently, Namibia’s electricity supply is a mix of domestic generation characterised by hydroelectric, solar and wind and imports from the Southern African Power Pool.
In 2026, we can continue to see a raise in renewable energy production. For those of us in the sector, we know these numbers by heart: Namibia averages 3000 hours of sunshine annually with typical annual solar irradiation figures ranging from 2,200 to 2,400 kWh/m² and limited seasonal variability. Along the coast, high and stable wind speeds are ideal for large-scale wind farms. Not only are these resources world class but they create a tangible pathway for a 100% green power sector in the future.
The signals include a recently launched Nampower bid for the construction of six 20 MW solar photovoltaic Power Projects on an independent power purchaser basis, the beginning of construction of the 50 MW Astra Farm Solar Park near Gobabis and the progression of the 25MW City of Windhoek solar PV plant which has been forwarded Public-Private Partnership board for consideration. With renewables, one key area of focus will have to be Battery Energy Storage Systems.
They provide the flexibility, reserve capacity, and load-shifting needed to stabilise variable generation and enable higher penetration of wind and solar.
Green Hydrogen Economic Diplomacy
It has been a complex year for green hydrogen. HyIron remained the darling of the sector, H₂Infra NV initiated a bolt-on acquisition of Cleanergy Solutions and Hyphen secured a Front-End Engineering Design and Engineering, Procurement and Construction partner and finished the year off strong with a US$10 million loan from the African Development Bank.
To ensure that large scale green hydrogen projects are bankable and to position the sector to overcome the existing cost differences between grey and green ammonia, Namibia has highlighted the role of Contracts for Difference in NDP 6.
The Contract for Difference is a long-term purchase agreement that bridges the gap between the production cost of green products and their current market price. I anticipate we will be hearing the term contracts for difference more next year as both the public and private sector try to unlock the potential of the green hydrogen and derivatives market.
Laying the Foundation for Nuclear Pursuits
Nuclear is the new kid that moved onto the block with the eighth administration. This year, the cabinet endorsed Namibia’s first Nuclear Industry Strategy and in September, cabinet formally approved the amendment process for the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act of 2005 and the sector’s mandate moved into the hands of the National Planning Commission. The journey, however, is still long from policy development, financial investment to infrastructural considerations.
In 2026, we may hear new youth voices on the matter with the establishment of the youth organisation, Namibia Young Generation in Nuclear (NAMYGN).
Moreover, of particular interest to me is the potential for Namibia’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Previously, Namibia had applied to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2016 but until now its membership remained an open issue.
In August, the cabinet approved the country’s intention to bid membership into the group of 48 nuclear supplying countries that ensure that production of uranium does not lead to uncontrolled proliferation. It is key to security and geopolitical elements.
Suzie Shefeni is a renewable energy advisor and policy researcher. The views and opinions expressed in this work are those of the author alone.
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