• Business 7

How solar energy is shaping the future of mining in Namibia

• 13 Hours Ago

Namibia is on the brink of an energy transformation. With some of the highest solar irradiation levels in the world and vast stretches of unpopulated land, the country is ideally positioned to harness solar power. This will prove particularly important in the mining sector, where energy security and cost efficiency are critical.

With the government planning for 51% local ownership in new mining ventures, the focus is shifting from whether solar can power mining operations to how this transition can be made sustainable, inclusive and locally beneficial. The opportunity is significant, but so are the challenges: funding constraints, skills shortages, and the need to align renewable energy goals with empowerment policies. Lessons from South Africa show that success will depend not only on technology but also on the strength of Namibia’s policies, partnerships, and planning.



Empowerment versus investment

The 51% local ownership policy represents a significant step towards ensuring that Namibians benefit from the country’s natural resources. It also means that renewable energy projects linked to mining must be designed with local participation from the outset. This goes beyond compliance; it is about creating genuine involvement, where local partners, suppliers, and employees actively contribute to and benefit from the energy transition.

For mines, this requires thoughtful structuring of solar investments. Joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and phased project rollouts offer practical ways to align with the ownership framework while maintaining access to capital and technical expertise. For example, experienced solar developers can partner with local firms and communities, transferring technology and knowledge while gradually increasing Namibian participation in project ownership and operation.

This type of collaboration builds trust and ensures that the benefits of renewable energy - lower operating costs, a more stable supply, and a reduced carbon footprint - extend beyond the mines to communities at large.



Lessons from South Africa

Namibia can draw several key lessons from its southern neighbour’s renewable energy journey. The first is regulatory certainty. Investors are far more likely to commit when they understand and can rely on clear rules.

Namibia already has a strong foundation through its modified single-buyer framework, which allows Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to sell electricity directly to large users such as mines. Maintaining clarity and predictability around power purchase agreements, wheeling regulations, and local content requirements will be essential to attract long-term investment.

The second lesson is about skills and local capacity. South Africa’s renewables sector has faced delays due to a shortage of qualified solar engineers and technicians.

Namibia can get ahead by investing early in technical training through its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres and engineering institutions such as the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). Embedding solar-specific certifications and practical apprenticeship programmes will ensure a pipeline of skilled professionals to design, build, and maintain large-scale solar projects.

Finally, hybrid power models, combining solar with battery storage and diesel backup, have proven to be the most reliable and cost-efficient for remote mining operations. Namibia’s mines can adopt similar models, starting with smaller behind-the-meter systems and expanding as confidence and capacity grow.



Overcoming funding and capacity constraints

Funding remains one of the most significant barriers to large-scale solar adoption in mining. Mines can mitigate this by taking a phased approach: starting small, demonstrating cost savings, and scaling up once the business case is proven. IPP agreements are another viable route, where private developers build and operate solar farms, and the mine purchases the generated energy through long-term contracts. Blended finance, combining grants, concessional loans, and private capital, can also make projects more viable.

At a national level, Namibia could explore creating a dedicated renewable energy fund or a guaranteed scheme to de-risk solar investments linked to strategic sectors like mining. Tax incentives, accelerated depreciation, and internship allowances can further encourage private participation and skills development.



Building a resilient local value chain

A sustainable renewable energy transition requires more than just solar panels; it needs a robust local value chain. Every solar project should include clauses requiring foreign engineers and developers to transfer knowledge and mentor Namibian teams. Over time, this will build a competent workforce capable of managing installations, operations, and maintenance independently.

Beyond technical training, local supplier development is key. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be supported to provide components, cabling, logistics, and maintenance services for solar projects. Establishing industry forums where developers, mines, and local businesses collaborate can accelerate these partnerships and help identify areas for investment and growth.

Namibia’s goal should be not only to meet domestic renewable energy needs but also to position itself as a regional hub for clean energy expertise, exporting both energy and skills across the continent.



Powering a sustainable mining economy

For Namibia’s mining future to be truly solar-powered, several priorities must align. The country needs clear, investor-friendly regulations that offer predictable frameworks for power purchase agreements, local content participation, and wheeling. Access to financing must also improve, with blended and phased models that lower upfront risk and make large-scale solar projects more achievable. At the same time, Namibia must invest in local skills development through practical, certified training and structured knowledge-transfer programmes, while empowering local suppliers and small businesses to participate in the renewable energy value chain.

Solar energy is no longer optional; it is a strategic necessity for Namibia’s competitiveness, energy independence, and long-term sustainability. The nation’s transition will depend not just on technology, but on people, partnerships, and policy. If Namibia can balance investor confidence with local empowerment, build the skills it needs, and strengthen its renewable infrastructure, it can create a mining sector that is not only cleaner and more efficient but also a model for inclusive and resilient growth.

* Julien Karambua is the country manager at Workforce Staffing Namibia.