Energy development is imperative
The ‘Park Talk’ series which consist of a monthly lecture on different topics related to Namibia’s Energy Policy and the COP21 process, held its second session on 28 June 2016 at the Franco Namibia Cultural Centre.
Keynote speaker, Honourable Obeth Kandjoze, Minister of Mines and Energy emphasized that Namibia’s energy sector is of strategic importance to the government and that energy is a key requirement for the nation’s development. “It is imperative that we structure the development of the energy sector in such a way that it yields the maximum development,” he added.
He informed that his Ministry is guiding the development of three important national policies, namely the policy for Independent Pow Producers, the Renewable Energy Policy and will review and update the National Energy Policy. “In addition we are also in the process of finalizing a national integrated resource plan (NIRP), which is the electricity sector planning tool covering a 20 year period, outlining all the feasible least cost generation and supply options, their capacities and envisaged deployment dates,” he said.
Her Excellency Jaqueline Bassa-Mazzoni, Ambassador of France to Namibia emphasized that energy management is now a critical sovereign task required for all modern and responsible State. “A new era has arrived, combining technological innovation and natural elements (water, sun and wind) for supplying renewable energy, suitable for our planet which has been so damaged by overuses for centuries,” she said.
She stated that Namibia could be this country, modern, responsible and exemplary in this area, in Africa and elsewhere in the world, because it benefits from natural, free, abundant and available resources. “The Namibian spirit, genius and political will must tame, control and use these resources for the benefit of its nation, its finances and its industrial and mining sectors,” she concluded.
Daniel Zinman, Africa Energy Team for RMB Namibia talk on financing energy from a banks point of view and stated that banks look for five characteristics before they fund a specific energy project. “The projects must have a clear legal framework and policy certainty, creditworthy off-takers, bankable documents, good line-of-sight of future opportunities, and access to long term funding,” he informed.
While Harald Schutt, General Manager of Renewable Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN) talked on how stakeholders can get involved to change the current situation and how Namibians should be authentic by being and buying Namibian.
The talks are jointly organised by the Embassy of France, REIAoN as well Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and supported by RMB and InnoSun.
