Electricity in Namibia
Electricity
Namibia relies heavily on electricity imports, but shifting regional dynamics are pushing the country to explore its own energy potential. Namibia, through NamPower imports and sells electricity locally and is transitioning from direct distribution to partnerships via Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs). Namibia produces electricity through a mix of:
- Hydropower
- Solar and wind energy
- Thermal generation
- Upcoming projects like Kudu Gas-to-Power and Baynes Hydro
Electricity Imports
Most of Namibia’s electricity is imported from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other regional partners.
Regional Energy
Erongo RED is a key electricity distributor in Namibia, responsible for supplying power to the Erongo Region.
How is Electricity Made?
In 1831, a man by the name of Michael Faraday, discovered that magnets and moving wire had strange effects on each other when they moved closer together. Faraday found that the mechanical energy used to move a magnet inside a coil of wire could be changed into electrical energy.
It is this simple discovery which has led to modern power stations. In large power stations, huge magnets are turned inside vast coils of insulated metal wire. It is here that the primary sources of energy are used.
Supply and Demand
Electricity must be produced as needed, since there’s no practical way to store it in large amounts. Supply must always match demand, which changes from minute to minute.
Consumers expect reliable power, and many devices depend on stable voltage and frequency. While daily usage patterns are fairly predictable, sudden events like weather changes can affect demand.
In Namibia, peak electricity use occurs twice a day—between 06:00 and midday due to industrial activity, and again from 17:00 to 21:00 as household usage increases.
