International energy conference draws global interest

May 8, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

Last week, the sixth edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) brought together more than 750 attendees from 46 countries at a venue in Windhoek. Participant numbers included 22 more nations than in previous years at the pivotal platform, where delegates deliberated on exciting developments in Namibia’s energy landscape that enabled participants to reimagine the possibilities for the national economy and its people. Amidst a captivating speech and insightful presentations by local and global experts, attendees took the opportunity to forge partnerships to boost Namibia’s energy sector.

Significantly, last week’s event was sponsored by key industry giants such as RMB, Shell, Chevron, TotalEnergies, Woodside Energies, ExxonMobil, SLB, Halliburton, Namcor, Sonils and African Energy Chamber, to name a few, which played a key role in supporting the theme “Reimagining resource-rich Namibia: turning possibilities into prosperity”.

A surprising aspect of the conference was the breadth of representation, with 92 speakers present.

Notably, 59% of attendees came from the oil and gas sector, while 14% represented a combined legal and financial services interest.

Government officials, no less than 51 in total, stressed the importance of the event in shaping national energy policies. “Beyond the formal sessions, the conference provided fertile ground for informal discussions, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and laying the foundation for future partnerships. The palpable enthusiasm and commitment among delegates, speakers and sponsors emphasized the growing importance of the event as a nexus to promote collective interests and foster innovation,” stated the conference organizers. A central theme of the conference discussions was the promotion of local Namibian content, which was a recurring theme that highlighted the country’s potential as a major player in the energy sector.

This included a concerted effort to build the capacity of local suppliers and culminated in efforts to achieve a competitive market environment, reflecting a collective commitment to sustainable growth and development.

During the conference, participants explored innovative strategies to position Namibia as a leading energy hub, navigating key challenges such as the journey to first oil planned for 2030, comprehensive energy master planning and promising geological prospects in areas such as Walvis and Lüderitz. Additionally, conference discussions delved into the crucial role of natural gas in driving global economic growth, as well as examining Namibia’s energy landscape and the integration of renewable energy sources. Transforming Namibia into a major infrastructure hub and addressing development financing challenges were also focal points, with attention paid to the unique dynamics of developing an oil industry within a mining economy.

Reflecting on the conference, Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni, CEO of RichAfrica Consultancy and NIEC Coordinator, said: “This conference has evolved over the years into a credible platform that encourages partnerships. Witnessing two major signings during the conference by Namcor and Chevron’s farm-out deal and Rhino Resources’ deal with Halliburton underscored this platform’s role as a catalyst for impactful industry collaborations.”

The participation of the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, and the Secretary General of OPEC, Haitham Al-Ghais, together with leaders of global oil and gas companies, added prestige to the conference, reaffirming its status as an event to which they must assist public-private partnerships in the power and energy sectors. investment sectors.

Shimutwikeni also expressed pride in the role of the women who participated in the discussions, specifically the Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, as well as the Commissioner for Petroleum, Maggy Shino. In her closing remarks, Shimutwikeni expressed the hope that delegates would take the discussions and turn them into actionable strategies to drive positive change and impact Namibia’s economy.

The 7th Namibia International Energy Conference is scheduled for April 22-24, 2025.