On 18 and 19 August, a two–day training was conducted in Windhoek, Namibia, to educate the public on the PyPSA (Python for Power System Analysis) tool, a free, open-source modeling framework, and tool used for the Namibia´s National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP). The NIRP directly informs the country´s electricity plan which details how much new generation and transmission capacity is needed, of what type, and by when, over a 20-year horizon. The training served to increase ownership and public participation in the NIRP through hands-on planning exercises which strengthened 18 participants´ understanding of the tool and explored how to adapt the model to their needs.
The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) is leading the NIRP alongside central stakeholders such as Electricity Control Board (ECB) and NamPower who were all in attendance in addition to the City of Windhoek. GET.transform supported MIME with capacity building, data collection, scenario screening and modelling, and contracted EnergyNautics for technical support.
While no prior experience in energy modelling was required, attendees learned theoretical foundations of electricity system modelling and power system optimisation and constraints and how the PyPSA is used for the ongoing development of the NIRP: Basic PyPSA functionalities were covered as well as the fundamentals of generation capacity and transmission expansion planning.
The NIRP aligns closely with the Namibia Energy Outlook, a planning exercise led by MIME to develop the first holistic vision for the Namibian’s energy sector spanning the next 50 years.
The training served as a vital platform to increase public awareness of the NIRP and the accessibility of the PyPSA tool, demonstrating its value for long-term electricity sector planning and a sustainable energy future in Namibia.
An online session will follow to provide further exercises and opportunities to clarify stakeholder questions.
