Namibia may starts drilling oil in 2025 planning peak production by 2029 with 11 billion barrels in reserve
With more than 10 billion barrels in reserve, Namibia is bracing to be the global oil and gas hotspot but currently seriously working to become the energy hub for sub-Saharan Africa.
That should be among the topics to be addressed during the forthcoming Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) in 2025.
Recently an economic oriented event which attracted delegates from all over the continent for the African Energy Week 2024, was held in Windhoek.
During the Energy Week convergence, Tom Alweendo, the Minister of Mines and Energy called on African Nations to safeguard their socio-economic advantages from ongoing oil and gas operations.
Namibia was doing this by ensuring its policies were geared to encourage investment and the county maintained a stable economy and efficient legal framework.
He said Namibia was working closely with energy companies to fast track delivery, and called on all stakeholders to embrace the challenge to build an African energy sector that was not only economically robust but environmentally responsible.
With over 11 billion barrels of reserves discovered in the country’s Orange Basin since 2022 the race is on for the first oil production in Namibia with appraisal drilling by TotalEnergies, Shell and Galp Energia.
The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) is also planning to drill three oil and gas wells by the first quarter of 2025.
Maggie Shino, Petroleum Commissioner in the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy put the tentative date for the production of first oil as 2029, adding “but this could be sooner.”
The volume of gas discovered has also increased, and Namibia is looking at its gas potential and how to valorize it.
Selma Shimutwikeni the Chief Executive Officer of RichAfrica Consultancy, an industry advisor, said that local content across the value chain is at the heart of Namibia’s energy strategy.
“Local content is going to be key to unlocking the potential of the industry ensuring that it is a catalyst for shared growth and prosperity for Namibia’s three million people.
“We are well positioned in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to cater not only for our own needs but for the region as well. We can be the next energy hub in Southern Africa,”
“To do this we need strategic partnerships between local and international companies and to ensure that the Namibians participate.”
The role of Namibia as an energy hub where energy resources, innovation, and infrastructure converge is to support both local and regional energy needs, create jobs, advance technology, ensure sustainability, and drive economic growth.
That will be the main agenda of the 7th Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) in Windhoek Namibia from April 23 to 25, 2025, organized by RichAfrica Consultancy and endorsed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy Namibia.
“For the 7th edition of NIEC, we are moving from reimagining resource-rich Namibia to leading the way with impactful action,” Shimutwikeni said.
Over 900 delegates, including industry experts, investors, and decision-makers, NIEC 2025 aims to create a premier platform for establishing strategic partnerships that will propel Namibia toward becoming a regional energy hub.
Namibia also launched its IEA energy report on the country’s renewable energy mix.
According to the new report, Namibia offers exceptional solar and wind energy potential, with significant year-round sunlight and substantial wind speeds in key areas.
This, combined with low seasonal variability and population density, positions Namibia as an ideal location for large-scale renewable energy projects.
Accelerating the deployment of these renewable energy sources could offer transformative benefits for Namibia’s power sector – reducing the country’s reliance on electricity imports, improving energy security and lowering costs for consumers.