Renewable energy has been making headlines in Namibia recently, and the youth are excited to be part of the transition. But how can Namibian youth get involved in this sector to create a lasting impact on society and the environment?
On 26 June 2025, the Namibian Youth Chamber of Environment hosted a webinar to explore the role young people play in shaping Namibia’s renewable energy future.
The webinar featured three speakers: Dr Sioni Iikela, Dean of Environmental Management and Sustainability Sciences at the International University of Management (IUM), representing the academic and public sector; Cecilia Naule, founder of Rural Power Solutions, representing the youth; and Mrs Linda Hendricks, Head of Renewable Energy at Pupkewitz Megatech, representing the private sector. The speakers addressed the importance of renewable energy in tackling challenges faced by communities in Namibia, particularly in rural areas.
Overview of renewable energy in Namibia
Dr. Sioni Iikela presented on various renewable energy sources in Namibia, starting with solar energy, which is widely used in households. He noted the government’s strategy to improve energy access by investing in diverse sources such as wind, biomass and green hydrogen. However, environmental implications of green hydrogen production in Namibia are hotly debated, particularly regarding water desalination, the management of fossil aquifers and biodiversity impacts in sensitive areas.
In order to supply enough electricity for all Namibians, large amounts of land are required for most of these energy sources. This is why public awareness and transparent communication is important, to ensure that people have a clear understanding and can make informed decisions of both the benefits and environmental impacts of these technologies. Dr Iikela also noted the necessity of developing local technical capacity to support these energy initiatives.
Harnessing solar energy
Cecilia Naule discussed how she watched her village transition from a bushy area to a densely populated one, making it increasingly difficult to find wood. This forced residents to risk crossing over to Angola just to collect firewood. Since 53% of Namibians rely on wood for cooking, thus contributing to deforestation. Another challenge she noticed was that half of Namibia’s horticultural produce is wasted due to a lack of preservation methods. These challenges motivated her to find a lasting solution for her community and their environment. She then developed a solar cooking prototype that reflects sunlight onto food to cook it, as well as food dryers that people can use to dry fruits and vegetables that are more easily preserved than fresh produce. She established Rural Power Solutions to sell these and other solar energy products.
Naule outlined the struggles she faced as a young Namibian to find mentorship and funding in the early stages of her journey. She finally received support from programmes like National Innovation Challenge and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which helped her scale up her business. She also acknowledged the struggle of creating sustainable disposal solutions for her devices, which include film and steel elements. Her product line now includes solar cookers, food dryers, solar lights, chargers and more.
Mrs Linda Hendricks from Pupkewitz encouraged young people to get involved as product re-sellers or solar installers. Pupkewitz trained over 2000 Namibians on basic solar installation so far. She reinforced the message that youth can actively participate in and benefit from the renewable energy sector. She further pointed out that Pupkewitz Megatech offers repair services and after-sales support, which helps reduce waste by encouraging maintenance rather than disposal.
Environmental impact of renewable energy technologies
While renewable energy sources are better than fossil fuels, it is important to consider the negative impacts they may have on the environment. Large wind and solar energy projects that are meant to provide electrification at a large scale require extensive equipment installations that not only take up space but are also difficult to dispose once the panels or turbines have reached end of life. In low-income communities, cheaply made solar products often fail within months and are discarded. Therefore, these non-biodegradable materials will keep piling up in the dumps – contributing to pollution and posing risks to children, wildlife and the environment.
Another concern is the impact on wildlife. Wind turbine blades can be fatal to birds, and solar panels may create visual disturbance due to their reflective surfaces that harm some animals.
Firewood is cheaper than solar devices, but it is becoming more difficult to access. As the Namibian and global population continue to grow, wood will eventually run out and people will be forced to find alternative heat sources. We should invest in alternative energy solutions now rather than wait until it is too late, and the youth have great potential to spearhead this energy transition.
Conclusion
Renewable energy is poised to play an increasingly important part in Namibia’s development. The youth have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead this transformation with innovation, care and a commitment to sustainable development.