By Gerson Hakey Nasau
Imagine a future where the rhythmic waves and steady winds of the Atlantic Ocean fuel the homes, industries, and economies of Southern Africa.
Stretching along the western coastline of countries like Namibia, Angola, and South Africa, the Atlantic offers an untapped reservoir of renewable energy waiting to be unlocked. This is not just an opportunity—it’s a call to action.
The vast Atlantic Ocean stretches beyond the imagination, hiding in its depths not just marine life but the power to revolutionize energy generation in Southern Africa.
As the global energy conversation shifts toward sustainability, the Atlantic’s waves, winds, and currents hold untapped potential to lead a renewable energy revolution. Yet, marine renewables remain a barely audible whisper in Africa’s energy mix conversations. It’s time to amplify that voice and bring marine energy to the forefront of regional development.
Marine renewable energy refers to energy generated from ocean-based resources, including wave energy, tidal currents, offshore wind, and ocean thermal energy. This sector leverages natural oceanic processes to produce electricity with minimal environmental impact.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), marine energy could play a key role in diversifying the global energy mix and meeting decarbonisation goals. Despite its promise, the African context rarely includes marine renewables in national energy strategies. This omission can be attributed to a few reasons: the high upfront costs of marine energy technologies, limited technical expertise, and the prioritisation of terrestrial renewables like solar and wind due to their accessibility and lower barriers to entry. However, ignoring marine renewables overlooks their significant potential for Southern Africa.
Southern Africa’s extensive coastline, stretching over 3,000 kilometres along the Atlantic Ocean, offers enormous marine renewable potential. Recent studies indicate consistent and strong wave energy in regions off the Namibian and South African coasts, with currents and tidal forces adding to the resource mix.
Offshore wind speeds in this region are some of the best globally, rivalling wind patterns seen in Northern Europe’s North Sea. If harnessed, these resources could generate gigawatts of renewable energy, creating a cleaner, more reliable power supply for the region. The proximity of these resources to coastal towns ensures minimal energy transmission losses and efficient delivery to consumers.
Namibia faces critical energy challenges that marine renewables could address. In 2024, local electricity production fell by 6.5% due to reduced water availability, and electricity imports rose to 28%, according to the Bank of Namibia. Marine renewables offer a sustainable solution to reduce reliance on imports and stabilise domestic energy production.
With the Atlantic Ocean buzzing with oil and gas exploration, marine renewables offer a unique opportunity to decarbonize these traditionally carbon-intensive operations. Similar to initiatives in the North Sea, where offshore wind farms now power oil rigs as part of their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments, Southern Africa’s oil and gas sector could adopt marine renewables to lower emissions and enhance sustainability.
By utilizing ocean-based wind and wave power, offshore rigs could operate more cleanly, positioning the region as a leader in sustainable energy practices for extractive industries. Examples include Equinor’s Hywind Tampen project in the North Sea, which powers oil platforms using floating wind turbines, reducing carbon emissions significantly. Southern Africa’s growing oil and gas industry could replicate such models, ensuring that extraction activities align with global decarbonization goals.
Moreover, the recently effected FuelEU Maritime policy, which sets stricter emission standards for maritime transport within the European Union, emphasizes the need for clean fuels and innovative energy solutions. Southern Africa can leverage this momentum by promoting marine renewables as part of a broader strategy to meet international shipping decarbonization targets.
The push for green hydrogen—produced using renewable energy and water—has gained significant momentum in Southern Africa. Given that much of the region, including Namibia, is arid, the sea is the most reliable source of water. Marine renewables located offshore, near desalination facilities, can provide a cost-effective energy source for water processing and electrolysis.
This proximity minimizes logistics costs, making green hydrogen projects more viable and competitive globally. By integrating marine renewables into these projects, Southern Africa can reduce costs and attract investment for large-scale hydrogen production. The Southern African Green Hydrogen Atlas highlights the potential of Namibia to lead this industry, with its coastal access and high renewable energy potential, including marine resources.
Marine renewables could bring a transformative impact to Southern Africa’s coastal towns, addressing chronic energy and water shortages while catalyzing industrial development. Take Lüderitz, for example. This Namibian coastal town faces frequent power shortages.
By tapping into offshore wind or wave power, Lüderitz could secure a stable and sustainable electricity supply, bolstering local industries and improving residents’ quality of life. Beyond power generation, marine renewables could fuel desalination plants, providing freshwater to parched communities. Coastal towns could also see a boom in aquaculture, powered by reliable energy, diversifying their economies while reducing reliance on fishing. Additionally, marine renewables could support marine mining—a growing industry—by providing the power needed for operations sustainably.
While marine renewables offer immense benefits, their deployment must be carefully managed to protect the marine ecosystems that sustain millions of livelihoods. Many Southern African economies are deeply reliant on the fishing sector. For instance, Namibia’s fishing industry accounts for approximately 15% of the country’s exports and employs tens of thousands of people.
Across Africa, an estimated 12.3 million people work in fisheries and aquaculture, contributing significantly to food security and income generation. Deploying marine renewable projects must avoid disrupting key fish breeding grounds, migratory paths, and marine biodiversity. Best practices, such as conducting detailed environmental impact assessments and employing technologies that minimize ecological disruption, are essential to balance energy development with marine conservation. Europe’s experience in harmonizing offshore energy projects with ecosystem protection provides valuable lessons.
The Atlantic Ocean offers Southern Africa a shared opportunity to drive innovation, sustainability, and regional integration. Harnessing its marine renewables can not only decarbonize energy systems but also uplift coastal communities and reduce environmental risks from fossil fuel dependence.
From powering green hydrogen production to supporting aquaculture and ensuring coastal resilience, marine energy is the key to a future beyond the shore—one that balances economic growth with ecological stewardship. Southern Africa has the opportunity to lead a blue energy revolution. The time to act is now. Together, the nations of this region can turn the Atlantic’s waves into a force for good, propelling them toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
*Gerson Hakey Nasau is Co-founder at Kaoko Green Energy Solutions (Pty) Ltd
