Namibia Energy & Environment: 2010 and beyond

Climate Change Mitigation: Namibia Energy Efficiency Programme (NEEP)

National Implementing Partner: Ministry of Mines and Energy, Directorate of Energy +264 61 284 8322 2010 -2013

Key Issues: UNFCCC

Project Status: Ongoing

Location: Namibia, Windhoek

Contact person: Mr. Kuda N., PON/REEEL

Goals and objectives

The overall objective is therefore the reduction of Namibia’s energy-related GHG emissions through the nationwide adoption of energy-efficient technologies and practices in the commercial and residential buildings such as government office buildings, hospitals, hotels, schools and possibly a sample of residential buildings.  

Description / Background

The NEEP in Buildings project is set against a background of rising electricity consumption in Namibia coupled with a growing power deficit in South Africa, the country’s main energy supplier. Like most developing countries who are energy importers, the likely increase in future energy costs or disruption in energy supply could jeopardize Namibia’s future economic growth. These developments and risks contrast with the limited application of energy-efficient measures and technologies in the country, particularly among local authorities who are the largest single electricity consumers within the domestic/residential sector accounting for almost 50% of current energy consumption. As part of the historical legacy between Namibia and South Africa, Namibia has inherited South Africa’s energy-inefficient mind-set, technologies and regulations, as well as suffering from a general lack of awareness regarding the cost advantages of energy-efficient technologies and equipment.

The Government of Namibia is actively exploring ways of enhancing power supply and promoting efficient use of available electricity resources to mitigate economic disruption. Addressing this challenge requires a concerted effort to both increase the available electricity generation (supply-side) and ensure a more efficient utilization of the existing resources (demand-side). The introduction of energy efficiency measures in existing and new buildings can be expected to not only reduce electricity demand (thus saving costs) and improve energy security, but also generate employment in ‘green jobs’ and serve as a cost-effective GHG emission reduction measure.

The NEEP project’s objective is therefore the reduction of Namibia’s energy-related GHG emissions through the nationwide adoption of energy-efficient technologies and practices in the commercial and residential building sector, with a focus on government office buildings, hospitals, hotels, schools and possibly a sample of residential buildings. This objective would be achieved through a series of key activities, including: (i) assistance and capacity building to local authorities to formulate appropriate regulations (standards and labeling of building appliances) and adoption of building codes for energy savings; (ii) the provision of auditing and energy marketing services to stimulate the demand and supply of EE services and technology in the country, particularly through the introduction of mandatory audits in public and commercial buildings and subsidized implementation of EE measures in at least 20 existing buildings; and (iii) the strengthening of institutional capacity and knowledge sharing platforms on EE in buildings that will facilitate market transformation and the adoption of EE technologies and best practices.

Table 1: Project outcomes

Table 2: Project budget

Selected Partners

• Government–Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), National Planning Commission (NPC), Ministry of Works Transport and Transport (MWT) and Ministry of Regional Local Government Housing and Rural Development (MRLGHRD).
• Parastatals- Electricity Control Board (ECB), Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), Habitat Research and Development Centre (HRDC), National Housing Enterprise (NHE), Renewable Energy and Energy efficiency Institute (REEEI)
• Town Councils- Arandis town council
• Electricity Sector Bodies- NAMPOWER and REDs

Funding is provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

www.thegef.org/gef/gef_country_prg/NA

Contact Details:

C/O The National Project Director: Director of Energy

Ministry of Mines and Energy

Directorate of Energy

Private Bag 13297

Tel. 061-2848322

Website: www.mme.gov.na

C/O The Head of Energy and Environment Programme

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Energy & Environment Unit

Private Bag 13329, Klein Windhoek

Tel. + 264 61 204 6111 /6231

Website: www.undp.un.na