NAMIBIAN POLICY PERSPECTIVES ON SOLAR ENERGY 16.11.2011 Africa electrification Initiative (AEI), DAKAR By Helvi Ileka Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Institute Polytechnic of Namibia 1
OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION Namibian Energy Policy Strategic initiatives in the Namibia solar energy sector Discussions on achievements of the policies Inadequacies of solar Energy Policies Conclusions 2
NAMIBIAN POLICY ON ENERGY Namibian s policy priorities on energy are founded on the White Paper on Energy Policy of 1998. Importance of renewable energy (RE) in the country s socioeconomic development is recognised as providing ; Sustainability, Socio-economic developments Security of Supply & use of locally available resources. There are abundant wind, solar, & biomass resources. But, there is NO regulatory framework that supports grid based RE. Activities underway to support grid based RE are: 1. New Energy Regulatory Framework, 2. Review of White Paper on Energy Policy to capture current trends and developments 3. Development of an Integrated Resource Plan. 3
ENERGY SECTOR IN NAMIBIA ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION & SUPPLY About 60% of the population resides in the north of Namibia where electrification rates are very low. Electricity supply is based on 240MW hydro, 120MW coal & 24MW diesel. Demand is roughly 500MW 824 000 km 2 and has a population of approximately 2 million people. Because of the vastness of the country & low population density, it is extremely difficult to extend the grid to un-electrified areas. Hence the need to strongly consider RE. 4
ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO RE Government pledged to ensure that institutional & planning frameworks are in place & treat RE on an equal footing with other forms of energy when assessing their financial, economic & social costs & benefits. The pledge resulted in the establishment of; Solar Revolving Fund:1996 subsidised interest rates on SHS, SWH, PVP ( ownership model) MME-2 Million NAD per annum 1US$ = 8NAD NAMREP 2004-2010 : public awareness, institutional framework and financing with degree of success REEEI -2006: also undertake NAMREP s responsibilities Off-grid Energisation Master Plan -2007 And other programmes 5
RENEWABLE ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY INSTITUTE- REEEI A cooperation agreement between the Polytechnic of Namibia & the Ministry of Mines & Energy (MME) created REEEI & gave it a mandate to: 1. facilitate & conduct research in RE & energy efficiency (EE), 2. develop materials & standards, reports and disseminate information & materials on RE & EE, 3. facilitate cooperation between MME & the Polytechnic, as a public institution, primarily responsible for RE & EE as well as other stakeholders. 6
GOVERNMENT RE FINANCING RE Financing Programme operated under NAMREP & Solar Revolving Fund Three (3) RE technologies (SWH, water pumping & solar home systems) are financed at subsided interest rates. The technologies have applications in rural, farming & urban settlements. NAMREP financing was operated through a commercial bank- programme is closed. Solar Revolving Fund is operated by MME 7
Off Grid Electrification model being followed in Namibia OGEMP DRIVER (REEEI)
ENERGY SHOP CONCEPT STOCK 13 SHOPS OPENED IN ALL 13 REGIONS: 180 SHOPS IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS 9
RE FINANCING -CHALLENGES & RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Inadequate funding- engagement of development partners. 2. REEEI is underfunded- Empower REEEI to address quality standards, provide technical support & adequate training to installers, suppliers, financiers & users, to realize national agenda. 3. In adequate planning framework- develop an Integrated Resource Plan and Regulatory framework. 10
THE END- I THANK YOU CONTACT DETAILS: RENEWABLE ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY INSTITUTE POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA 13 Storch Street P/B 13388 Windhoek - Namibia TEL: +264 61 2072154 FAX: +264 61 207 2059 Website: www.reeei.org.na, Email: reeei@polytechnic.edu.na 11