Organic Energy Solutions (OES), a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, has become Namibia’s first and only wood-chip biomass company to achieve SURE (Sustainable Resources Verification Scheme) certification for energy production.
According to the company, the certification was granted after a three-day audit confirming that OES’s operations comply with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) sustainability standards.
OES said this recognition places it among a small group of Namibian energy producers with SURE certification, most of whom operate in the charcoal sector.
OES Managing Director Gero von der Wense said the certification gives the company a competitive advantage.
“Being the only SURE-certified wood-chip biomass company in Namibia gives us a strong competitive edge in local and international markets,” von der Wense said.
“The certification ensures compliance with strict EU sustainability standards, allowing us to access premium export markets and supply sustainability-focused industries. This leadership position enhances our appeal to stakeholders and customers committed to green energy and climate goals.”
The company said it sources biomass exclusively from invasive encroacher bush species, which threaten biodiversity, water availability and agricultural productivity. OES stated that its operations play an ecological role by helping to restore Namibia’s savanna ecosystems.
Franklin Angermund, Public Affairs and Sustainability Manager at Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), one of OES’s main clients, said the certification supports NBL’s environmental goals.
“A SURE certification directly supports NBL’s Brew a Better Namibia strategy and gives us surety that the biomass supplied to NBL is responsibly sourced, fully traceable and delivers real environmental benefits,” Angermund said.
“This assurance positions NBL as a credible partner in driving sustainable energy solutions that protect Namibia’s environment whilst supporting long-term economic resilience.”
Progress Kashandula, Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG), said OES’s certification is an important development for the sector.
“Having a SURE-certified member like Organic Energy Solutions is a major milestone for N-BiG and Namibia’s biomass sector,” Kashandula said.
“It demonstrates that Namibia’s bioenergy value chain meets international sustainability and traceability standards. This achievement strengthens Namibia’s position in global markets and enables the country’s bioenergy products to access the European Union market.”
OES said the certification supports the O&L Group’s broader sustainability agenda, including carbon emission reduction, responsible sourcing and local economic development.
The company added that it plans to expand its work in biodiversity and rangeland restoration, create jobs in rural communities and invest in cleaner technologies while exploring new regional and international markets for sustainable biomass.
The company noted that its broader operations aim to address Namibia’s dual challenges of land degradation and sustainable energy by converting encroacher bush into organic fertilisers, compost and renewable energy.
OES said this regenerative process helps restore grasslands, improve soil health, enhance biodiversity and strengthen Namibia’s water security.
