From 15–24 June 2026, representatives from the Mitigation Action Facility, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), NamPower, and the Environmental and Social Support (ESS-OBPS) Consortium travelled across central and northern Namibia to see first-hand how the Namibia – Biomass project is transforming invasive encroacher bush into renewable energy while restoring degraded landscapes.
The visit enabled partners and donors to review implementation progress, discuss upcoming milestones and exchange directly with communities and project partners.
Turning an environmental challenge into a climate solution
Namibia currently imports much of its electricity, with a significant share generated from fossil fuels in neighbouring countries. At the same time, bush encroachment affects around 60% of the country’s savannah, reducing biodiversity, grazing capacity, ground-water availability, and agricultural productivity. By sustainably harvesting encroacher bush to fuel the power station, the project addresses both challenges simultaneously, strengthening energy security while restoring degraded savannah landscapes.
During the five-day field programme, donors followed the entire biomass value chain, beginning with mechanised bush harvesting operations near Okahandja. Here, participants observed how encroacher bush is harvested, processed into woodchips and prepared for delivery, providing valuable insight into the future fuel supply chain that will power the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station.
“We see biomass as an opportunity because we get to develop value chains from the biomass or waste coming from landscape restoration.”
– Daniel Shagama, Operations Manager, National Biomass industry Group (N-BiG)
Restoring ecosystems through sustainable biomass management
Rather than treating encroacher bush only as a resource to be extracted, the project also promotes sustainable landscape management that balances renewable energy production with ecosystem restoration. Donors visited restoration sites at Farm Buffelhoek and the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), where years of monitoring have demonstrated that long-term aftercare is essential to avoid aggressive regrowth in the future.
Participants observed rehabilitated grazing lands where carefully managed bush thinning, combined with appropriate aftercare interventions, improved grass recovery, increased livestock productivity, and supported biodiversity. By comparing treated and untreated areas, donors gained first-hand insight into how different harvesting methods and land management practices influence ecosystem recovery over time.
“If you remove and thin the bush, you will get better grass growth and a better balance between grass and bush in these savannas, and you actually have better biodiversity.”
– Dr. Morgan Hauptfleisch, Senior Researcher at Namibia Nature Fund
Building a sustainable biomass value chain
The delegation also visited one of the project’s first contracted fuel suppliers at Farm Tsumore, where preparations for biomass harvesting are already underway. Discussions focused on operational readiness, sustainable harvesting plans, workforce development, and compliance with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification requirements, which underpin responsible biomass sourcing.
In addition, the project will go a step further by implementing a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) aligned with international best practice, including the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Environmental and Social Performance Standards, which incorporates robust environmental and social safeguards, continuous monitoring, biodiversity protection, community engagement, occupational health and safety, and transparent reporting throughout the biomass supply chain. Through the project’s Technical Cooperation (TC) component, the Consortium plays a central role in ensuring that biomass harvesting is carried out sustainably and in compliance with these international environmental and social standards.
The mission also included a visit to one of its most significant milestones – the construction of the 40 MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Station near Tsumeb. Donors observed significant construction progress and met with engineering teams to review project timelines and commissioning preparations. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate around 300 GWh of renewable electricity annually, helping reduce Namibia’s dependence on imported electricity while demonstrating biomass as a reliable, dispatchable renewable energy source.
“Ensuring the establishment of a sustainable biomass value chain at this scale is not only important for this project but can serve as a successful demonstration and practice for replication of similar biomass projects throughout the country.”
– Kholmati Kholik, Advisor of the Technical Support Unit to the Mitigation Action Facility
Communities at the heart of the transition
Community participation remains central to the project’s approach. During a visit to the Otjituuo Community Forest, donors engaged with community leaders and residents to discuss opportunities for local participation in the biomass value chain. Conversations explored governance structures, biomass supply arrangements, and the expected socio-economic benefits, including employment, new income opportunities, and improved land productivity through sustainable bush management.
The mission concluded with Steering Committee meetings in Windhoek, where partners reviewed lessons from the field and identified priorities for the next implementation phase. Discussions focused on strengthening fuel supply readiness, enhancing environmental and social monitoring, improving coordination among project partners and supporting greater participation by farmers and local communities.
Looking ahead
With a total investment of EUR 24.7 million, the Mitigation Action Facility-supported project combines financial support for the construction of the power station with technical assistance to establish a sustainable biomass supply chain. Over its implementation period, it is expected to sustainably harvest 24,000 hectares of bush, while creating jobs, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening Namibia’s renewable energy sector.
The mission demonstrated progress already achieved while reaffirming the importance of strong partnerships for scaling biomass solutions. By combining renewable energy generation, ecosystem restoration and inclusive rural development, the Namibia – Biomass project continues to demonstrate how climate action can deliver lasting environmental, economic and social co-benefits. Stay tuned for upcoming stories showcasing the human impact of the Namibia – Biomass project to learn how it is already making a difference in local communities and explore our previous stories.
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