A six-month renewable energy rural awareness campaign is currently in full swing and is being conducted by the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN). 

The campaign, which commenced in June this year, focuses on raising awareness surrounding the uses and possibilities of renewable energy in rural communities and aims to assist small renewable energy businesses in rural areas.  According to a statement from REIAoN the campaign, information will be shared through platforms, such as radio clips in various local languages, distribution of flyers as well as a roadshow to selected regions, catering to over 12 rural communities and reaching over 2 000 people. 

“Additionally, we will be doing rural stakeholder engagements and advocacy meetings with several local authorities and local agencies (excluding municipalities and town councils). Furthermore, REIAoN hopes to establish at least one professional partnership with a renewable energy association occupying a similar position in a foreign or global market through this campaign,” the REIAoN statement reads. 

REIAoN is a Section 21 (not for profit) association with 25 founding members, of which five are appointed as directors.  REIAoN’s objectives include the promotion of renewable energy, with a focus on renewable technologies to create awareness of the adoption and use of technologies, using renewable energies and energy-efficient technologies and establishing a network of professional relationships with national and international bodies that share similar objectives.  Furthermore, the Association aims to promote, foster and endorse enabling policies and regulatory frameworks for renewable energy as well as to promote the adoption of high standards either directly or indirectly. 

This awareness campaign aims to improve access to information and strengthen advocacy for rural renewable energy products and service providers through the creation of awareness and training. 

“Over the last 20 years, the renewable industry in Namibia has developed from a niche market for early adopters to a diverse and competitive industry. The period between 2015 and 2022 has seen major acceleration and investment into renewable energy, albeit within the utility and industrial-scale applications. Smaller, broad-base applications have not seen similar growth,” the REIAoN statement reads.  The statement continued that renewable energy “is very valuable, especially in areas where necessities like water and electricity are not available. Wind and solar also do not require water, which is beneficial to rural areas, especially where farms are concerned. It uses natural resources, which are available for free, such as wind and sunlight. Households can use Renewable Energy for power, cooking, charging batteries and heating their home. There is also a major economic benefit to be had in the use of Renewable Energy in rural communities, especially in improving methods of subsistence and small-scale commercial farming”. 

Through active participation and cooperative idea sharing, REIAoN intends to play a key role in setting Namibia’s Renewable Energy Agenda and facilitating the growth of a world-class sector.