Oil rigs in Walvis Bay, Namibia
Namibia eyes diversifying energy mix as oil stalls
TotalEnergies’ delayed FID for its Venus project will likely set back first oil, but Windhoek has other irons in the fire
While the focus in Namibia might be on delays to its oil development, the country is aiming to diversify its energy mix by developing gas, renewables and hydrogen—goals that are likely to be reached at varying speeds and with variable results. The country’s initial plan for oil development is likely to start with TotalEnergies’ 2022 Venus discovery in the offshore Orange Basin, where the company expects to reach FID in 2026—at least a year later than previously envisaged. “Kudu gas could be part of the solution” Thom, Wood Mackenzie Portugal’s Galp is looking for partners to develop Mopane, which it said has a hydrocarbon in-place estimate of 10b boe. Developing Venus and Mopane coul
Also in this section
2 December 2025
Oil major cites deteriorating demand and a planning debacle as it abandons one of UK’s largest blue hydrogen projects
1 December 2025
Project at Emden in northwest Germany due online in 2027, but wider ramp-up of clean hydrogen sector in Germany will require overhaul of government policy, company warns
25 November 2025
The northwest African country’s vision of integrating green power, molecules and steel is alive and kicking, and serves as a reminder of hydrogen’s transformative potential
19 November 2025
The creation of ‘lead markets’ to generate hydrogen demand in the EU has potential, but implementation would pose complex challenges for producers and industrial offtakers
