Project Case Study: Establishing Connections for Sustainable Energy Projects in Namibia

Background:

Oxford University, in collaboration with ALPS Ecoscience, embarked on a field trip to Namibia in March/April 2023. The objective was to explore potential partnerships for a mid-stage Energy Catalyst 10 grant application aimed at building and operating an anaerobic digestion plant in Namibia, leveraging indigenous invasive plants to provide energy and resources for the local community.

Project Overview:

ALPS Ecoscience funded a 1-week trip to Namibia, facilitated by senior engineer, Dr Helen Theaker from their team. The collaboration with Oxford University added academic expertise to the project. Meetings were conducted with various local organisations in Windhoek to explore potential partnerships and assess the feasibility of the proposed project.

Key Activities:

Meetings and Collaborations: The senior engineer held meetings with key stakeholders, including a local consultant, the Namibian Chamber of Commerce, a large local brewery, a soil rejuvenation organisation, and the Environmental Investment Fund. Additionally, discussions were held with Fortis, a private consultancy with links to a local poultry farm.

Project Planning: Collaborative efforts with Fortis led to the development of a project plan, mass balance, and proposal in conjunction with Oxford University. The aim was to demonstrate the potential inputs, outputs, and benefits of the anaerobic digestion plant project.

Evaluation and Decision: Despite efforts, it was determined that the business case lacked sufficient support from Fortis to proceed with the grant application at that time. Consequently, the decision was made not to pursue the application further.

Outcomes:

Enhanced Collaboration: The field trip strengthened the connection between ALPS Ecoscience and Oxford University, paving the way for potential future collaborations on sustainable energy projects.
Insights into Sub-Saharan Africa: The trip provided valuable insights into the economic and social aspects of undertaking projects in sub-Saharan Africa, enriching the team’s understanding of the region’s challenges and opportunities.
Networking: The trip facilitated the establishment of new networking connections with key organizations in Windhoek, laying the groundwork for future partnerships and initiatives in the region.

Conclusion:

While the grant application did not materialise as initially hoped, the field trip to Namibia proved to be a valuable learning experience. The connections made, insights gained, and networks established during the trip serve as valuable assets for future endeavours in sustainable energy and community development projects in Namibia and beyond. It also facilitated a collaboration with Oxford University which has now progressed into an advanced AD research study which will report in April 2024.

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