Namibia to harness cacti for renewable energy

From the newsletter

Canadian bioenergy firm Nopal has launched its first African renewable energy project in Namibia. The Nopal Carbon Farming project will utilise cacti to generate biogas. The first phase will cover 500 hectares at an investment cost of approximately $4m. The company targets to expand to 17,500 hectares by 2028.

• Nicole Maske (pictured first on the right above), the Namibian managing partner of Nopal Carbon Farming, confirmed that around 5 MW of energy would be generated per 800 hectares of the project.

• The total investment of the project is expected to exceed $108m as bioenergy production expands. Namibia has approximately 81% of its land area classified as desert or semi-desert and this will be suitable for the cactus plant.

More details

• Namibia's electricity generation is currently dominated by hydropower (58.7% in 2022). It also includes coal-fired power plants and diesel generators, though these contribute less to the overall mix. While solar PV and wind power are gaining traction, Namibia is exploring innovative renewable energy sources like bioenergy and biogas to diversify its energy portfolio and enhance energy security. The country imports a significant portion of its electricity (60% from South Africa), making energy independence a key priority.

• One promising avenue is bioenergy, particularly utilising invasive bush wood and nopal cacti. The country is building a 40 MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Station, which is expected to be operational in 2027 and will use harvested invader bush species as fuel.

• While biogas, another renewable energy source, remains underutilised in Namibia with mostly small-scale, often unrealised projects, the country is also exploring the potential of cacti. Cacti offers multiple benefits: it acts as a significant carbon sink, absorbing more CO2 per area than the Amazon rainforest, and it can be used as feedstock for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas for electricity generation.

• The Nopal Carbon Farming project capitalises on these advantages. It aims to cultivate large-scale Nopal plantations, not only for biogas production but also for carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change.

• Given Namibia's low population density (4 people per square kilometre) and vast tracts of land, large-scale Nopal cultivation is feasible. The project plans to cultivate 17,500 hectares by 2028, partnering with local farmers to expand its reach and transform an additional tens of thousands of hectares of degraded land. 

• This initiative could create up to 75 jobs, provide livestock feed, and improve food security, all while boosting Namibia's energy independence and lowering energy costs for consumers. Namibia faces significant land degradation (70% affected by desertification), and Nopal cultivation offers a way to revitalize these lands.

Our take

• This is huge news for Namibia and a unique approach to utilising available resources and conditions to solve problems. 4.8 billion hectares of barren land exist globally. If this project succeeds, it could inspire similar initiatives across the continent, transforming barren landscapes into thriving centres of bioenergy production and carbon capture. 

• The Nopal Carbon Farming project pursues a holistic approach to sustainability. It ambitiously addresses multiple challenges by integrating renewable energy, land restoration, and economic growth. It’s not just about generating clean power but creating jobs, strengthening livelihoods, and building climate resilience in vulnerable communities. This holistic approach is what makes it truly impactful.