Key Stakeholders commit to implement the Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (Nam-STTR) Implementation Plan at the Final Stakeholder Workshop

Submitted by Fenni Shidhika and Helvi Ileka
Published 7 years, 8 months ago

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), through the Namibia Energy Institute (NEI), organised the Final Stakeholder Workshop on the Implementation Plan of the Namibia Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (Nam-STTR) under the Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN Project) in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME). The workshop took place in late June at the NUST hotel school.

None

The main objectives of the workshop were to present the final draft of the Namibia Solar Thermal Roadmap Implementation Plan and get input from stakeholders. In addition the workshop sought to obtain full commitment and pledges in the implementation of the Roadmap from Key Stakeholders and participating institutions such as Electricity Control Board (ECB), NamPower, Environmental Investment Fund (EIF), Namibia Standards Institute (NSI), National Training Authority (NTA), Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia, (REIAoN), National Housing Enterprise (NHE) and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST).

The implementation plan will guide the key stakeholders on various activities, milestones, strategies and timelines in order for Namibia to reach the mission of achieving an installation of 1.5 million m2 of solar thermal collectors installed capacity in Namibia by 2030, which translates to about 0.5 m2 per inhabitant with a thermal output equivalence of approximately 1.05 GWth (based on the international conversion factor of 1 m² = 0.7 kW).

Dr Tjama Tjivikua, the NUST Vice Chancellor in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr Lameck Mwewa, elaborated on the achievements of the SOLTRAIN Project to date. John Titus, the Director of Energy from MME who delivered the speech of the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Mines and Energy spoke highly of the SOLTRAIN initiative. The impacts of activities and contributions from SOLTRAIN are already evident in Namibia, especially in the work towards the development of Renewable Energy Policy, Demand Side Management Study, Update of the National Energy Policy, the development of the curricula in Universities and in Vocational Training Centres.

Tonateni Amakutuwa from ECB said that ECB commits to offer regulatory support, while Arno Pfohl from NamPower pledged that NamPower will offer technical support. MET underscored Namibia’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and gave assurance of its support towards the goal of having 70 % of electricity generated from renewable energy by 2030.

Petrus Muteyauli from MET head of Environmental Economics Unit stated that they are willing to work with the energy industry to submit bankable renewable energy projects to access funds from the Green Climate Fund. Aina- Maria Iteta from the EIF said the stakeholders should strive to own the Nam-STTR. She emphasised that the EIF will continue to make a loan facility for renewable energy available through local banks. Nico Snyders from MME stated that the Renewable Energy Policy and the National Energy Policy spearheaded by the Ministry, which has been recently approved by Cabinet, will enhance the uptake of solar thermal technologies.

Kudakwashe Ndhlukula, the Executive Director for SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) who wants SOLTRAIN to be replicated in all SADC member states, also commited support for the roadmap implementation plan in industrial applications of solar thermal technologies.

Paulus Mungeyi from NCRST said that they will support the roadmap implementation plan on research activities in the energy sector, prioritising renewable energy. Nandaemua Maharero from NSI said that NSI together with the industry will be engaged to review, develop and adopt relevant standards for proper implementation of various technologies.

Harald Schutt from REAIoN stated that they will support the implementation plan of the roadmap in various solar thermal technologies. Christoph Heil from NTA and Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbert (GIZ) presented the initiatives and activities undertaken by NTA and GIZ on the promotion of Vocational Education & Training in Namibia (ProVET) in the implementation of Unit Standards on Solar Technologies at all Vocational Training Centres.

The Implementation plan of the Namibia Solar Thermal Roadmap is divided into two phases and has identified activities and key stakeholders to fast track the implementation of the Roadmap. The first phase, which is the short-term strategy (2017 – 2021), will focus more on awareness, policy support, and training, and pave way for the full scale implementation. This will be done while physically implementing a number of installations.

The planned activities in this phase include carrying out a review of any existing policies and, if necessary, developing relevant policies that may support the smooth implementation the Roadmap, carrying out outreach and public awareness to showcase the benefits of increased solar thermal technology deployment and usage, and encouraging academic institutions to develop training programmes, and implement research programmes to support the sector. The development of possible financing and subsidy mechanisms for the various technologies will be encouraged in this short-term strategy phase.

The second phase which is the long-term strategy (2022 – 2030) will consolidate the activities initiated in the first phase, and some of the tasks in phase 1 will continue into this phase. The full scale deployment of the installations will be emphasized in phase 2, with objective of meeting the set targets. The activities will be monitored by the steering committee, which will receive regular updates from the secretariat (NEI), and systems assessment will be through direct interaction with the key stakeholders. The Roadmap will be continuously updated during actual implementation phase and monitoring and evaluation will form part of the process during the implementation. The entire activities will be overlooked and supervised the Roadmap Steering Committee.

Participants from various institutions that attended the Final Stakeholder Workshop on the Implementation Plan of the Nam-STTR
SOLTRAIN+ Bursary – Call closed by end of July 2025

SOLTRAIN+ Bursary – Call closed by end of July 2025

We would like to announce that the rolling call for the next awarding of the SOLTRAIN+ bursary will be closed …

2 weeks ago

Monika Spörk-Dür

SADC Utilisation Training Workshop on Solar Systems and Components - Lilongwe, Malawi

SADC Utilisation Training Workshop on Solar Systems and Components - Lilongwe, Malawi

The first SOLTRAIN+ SADC Utilisation Training Workshop for Experts and Professionals was successfully held from 07–08 April 2025 in Lilongwe, …

2 weeks ago

Selma Festus

Accelerating Energy Security in Southern Africa: Key Highlights from the 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week

Accelerating Energy Security in Southern Africa: Key Highlights from the 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week

The SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), in collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy and …

2 weeks ago

Selma Festus

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ Conference in Botswana – A Resounding Success

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ Conference in Botswana – A Resounding Success

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ conference, hosted by the Clean Energy Research Centre University of Botswana, a memory gathering of enthusiastic energy …

2 weeks ago

Kevin Nwaigwe

Training on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes in Harare, Zimbabwe and CAFCA Technical Tour

Training on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes in Harare, Zimbabwe and CAFCA Technical Tour

A specialized training course for experts and professionals entitled Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) for Industry & Commerce was …

2 weeks ago

Samson Mhlanga

Joint SOLTRAIN+ / IEA SHC Task 69 ‘Solar Heat for 2030’ Week from 23-26 September 2025

Joint SOLTRAIN+ / IEA SHC Task 69 ‘Solar Heat for 2030’ Week from 23-26 September 2025

In Windhoek SOLTRAIN+ and the IEA SHC Task 69 are joining forces for a full week of activities on the …

2 weeks ago

Monika Spörk-Dür

The Experimental Setup of a Side-by-Side Solar Water Heating System at The Namibia Energy Institute Reaches Commissioning Stage

The side-by-side comparison of three solar water heating technologies being installed at the premises of Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) at …

2 weeks ago

Joseph Shigwedha

NUL-ERC & SOLTRAIN+ lead Lesotho’s Solar Revolution

NUL-ERC & SOLTRAIN+ lead Lesotho’s Solar Revolution

As Lesotho is stepping into a brighter, greener future, the SOLTRAIN+ Project and the Energy Research Centre (ERC) at the …

2 weeks ago

Palesa Nkaile

Enhancing Municipal Energy Efficiency: CRSES and City of Cape Town Collaborate on Renewable Solutions for Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

Enhancing Municipal Energy Efficiency: CRSES and City of Cape Town Collaborate on Renewable Solutions for Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University is collaborating with the City of Cape Town’s …

2 weeks ago

Dr. Francois Rozon

Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

SOLTRAIN+ is offering support for twenty master’s or PhD theses dedicated to the topic of renewable heating and cooling and …

7 months ago

Selma Festus