FACT: Nuclear power plants around the world are producing more electricity at a safer rate than ever before. 

India recently modernised its national nuclear energy strategy and now it complements Namibia’s Nuclear Industrial Strategy focusing on regulatory strength, human capital, and value addition in nuclear applications. This development means Namibia and India can deepen collaboration on uranium supply, fuel cycle services, and socio-economic development through nuclear technologies. 

Now, Namibia is at a crossroads. The country is proud of the progress it has made in renewable energy. Our sunshine and open landscapes provide ideal conditions for solar and wind power, and investments in these sectors are beginning to pay off. However, there is an uncomfortable truth we cannot ignore and that is Namibia still produces less than half of the electricity it uses. The rest we import, mainly from South Africa and other neighbours, just to keep our lights on, our clinics running and our businesses operating. 

This energy dependence leaves the country exposed. When regional supply tightens or prices rise, Namibia immediately feels the shock. Power shortages and high electricity costs slow economic growth and make long-term planning difficult. For too long, we have acted as if our only options are limited to renewables and imported fossil-based power. That limited thinking is holding us back. 

It’s time to widen the conversation. Namibia should seriously consider nuclear energy, not as a rival to renewables, but as a strong and dependable partner. 

Around the world, nuclear power is already doing much of the heavy lifting in the fight against climate change. In recent years nuclear plants have generated more electricity than ever before, while preventing billions of tonnes of carbon emissions. Over the past five decades, nuclear energy has displaced vast amounts of coal and gas, quietly delivering low-carbon power at scale. 

Just as important is reliability. Nuclear plants run day and night, rain or shine. Globally, they operate at far higher consistency than any other major power source. Solar and wind remain essential, but they are naturally intermittent. Without firm, stable power to back them up, grids become fragile and expensive to manage. 

This is where Namibia’s opportunity becomes strikingly clear. We are one of the world’s leading producers of uranium, a critical input for nuclear power, yet we export nearly all of it and import electricity instead. It’s a contradiction that should trouble us. We ship out a strategic resource, then buy back energy at a premium. 

With the right investments, uranium could power Namibian homes, industries and data centres, while creating skilled jobs in engineering, construction, regulation and plant operations. Instead of remaining a raw-material exporter, Namibia could move up the value chain and anchor its energy future at home. 

Critics often argue that nuclear power is too big and too expensive for a country of our size. That used to be true. Traditional reactors are massive projects. But technology has evolved. Small modular reactors, or SMRs, are designed specifically for countries with smaller grids. They require lower upfront investment, can be built faster, and allow capacity to grow gradually as demand increases. 

Nuclear power is no longer a distant idea. Countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, are expanding nuclear power as part of their climate and energy-security strategies. Global commitments now aim to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. These nations recognise that clean energy systems work best when renewables and nuclear are developed together. 

Concerns about safety, waste and cost deserve serious discussion. But they must be grounded in today’s reality, not yesterday’s fears. Modern reactors are designed with advanced safety systems that dramatically reduce risk. Nuclear waste volumes are small and tightly managed, particularly when compared to the pollution and health damage caused by fossil fuels. When the full cost of maintaining a stable electricity system is considered, combining nuclear with renewables can be cheaper over the long term than relying on renewables and storage alone. 

Encouragingly, Namibia has already taken initial steps. Cabinet’s approval to strengthen nuclear regulation and explore feasibility studies, including SMRs and value-added uranium projects, signals growing awareness at the highest levels. But studies alone are not enough. What is needed now is a clear, funded strategy that shows investors and partners that Namibia is serious about becoming an energy leader, not just a resource supplier. 

In an era defined by climate urgency and geopolitical uncertainty, energy security is not a luxury. Renewables are essential, but they cannot carry the burden alone. Nuclear energy, deployed responsibly and transparently, offers Namibia a way to secure reliable, affordable and low-carbon power for decades to come. 

The fact is that Namibia already has the resources. We already have the expertise in uranium mining. What we need now is the courage to think bigger. We must stop exporting our energy potential and start using it to power our own future.