Namibia is making headway toward more distributed generation. This month saw the start of a training series for Namibian utilities on the Embedded Generation Online Application Platform, delivered by Sustainable Energy Africa and GET.transform. The first session was hosted by the regional electricity distribution center CENORED in Otjiwarongo, marking the beginning of a national effort to strengthen institutional capacity for the evaluation and approval of embedded generation applications.
The training, facilitated by Zibusiso Ndlovu and Mark Borchers from Sustainable Energy Africa, brought together 19 CENORED staff members for an intensive, in-person workshop. Participants explored key technical and regulatory aspects of embedded generation, including grid impact considerations and system specifications required for the approval of small-scale generators.
A central focus of the session was the practical application of the online platform. Utility staff were guided through the process of setting up a utility on the system and using the platform’s features to assess embedded generation applications efficiently. GET.transform played an essential role in coordinating the training, ensuring alignment with national regulatory frameworks and supporting a harmonised approach to embedded generation across the electricity distribution sector.
The workshop emphasised the importance of technical compliance, regulatory clarity, and digital process transparency. Participants gained confidence in evaluating and approving embedded generation projects, while understanding how the platform streamlines approvals, simplifies administrative processes, and enables more efficient integration of distributed renewable energy into the grid. This initiative is expected to accelerate private sector participation in small-scale generation, directly contributing to Namibia’s broader electrification and energy access goals.
Future sessions are planned for other key stakeholders, including Erongo RED, NamPower, and the Electricity Control Board, to ensure a consistent and well-informed approach to embedded generation across the country. Through these trainings and the official launch of the platform later this year, Namibia is building the technical and regulatory capacity needed to support the sustainable expansion of distributed renewable energy.
