NUST appoints Dr Andreas Elombo

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Andreas Elombo as the director of the Namibia Energy Institute (NEI). The NEI is housed at NUST, and it is dedicated to energy research, education, and training, addressing energy challenges in Namibia and the broader southern African region. It focuses on key areas such as renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, energy policy and regulation, and sustainable energy systems.

A wealth of knowledge

Dr Elombo is an engineering scientist with a strong background in electrical engineering. His expertise and passion lie in developing sustainable technical solutions aimed at accelerating the net-zero transition. He has over ten years of varied international experience in the energy sector, both in academia and industry.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford, a Master of Science (Cum Laude) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, and a Bachelor of Science (with 1st Class Honours) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town.

Prior to joining NUST, he served as a research fellow in digital twins for transport decarbonisation at Heriot-Watt University in the United Kingdom (UK), where he played a significant role in a consortium that worked to establish a research hub dedicated to exploring digital twinning capabilities to facilitate the decarbonisation of the UK’s transport sector.

Dr Elombo has also served in various other roles, notably as a Net-Zero Transition Consultant at EA Technology Limited in the UK, a Research and Development Engineer at NamPower, as well as a Research Associate in Future Energy Networks at the University of Bristol in the UK.

“I am delighted to join the NEI at a crucial time when our country is working hard to position itself in the green economy, particularly in the green hydrogen space, where we have made great strides to date,” Dr Elombo said on his appointment.

He added: “Our efforts in oil and gas must be harmonised with all our energy resources to ensure that maximum benefit is derived from it in a sustainable way. I look forward to working with the NEI team and our partners to contribute meaningfully to supporting the advancement of our country’s economy through energy policies and technologies backed by research and innovation”.

The green economy research strategy

After conducting an analysis of Namibia’s Power to X sector in collaboration with The Renewables Academy (RENAC) from Germany in 2023, NUST, through the NEI, found gaps and the need to provide training opportunities for professionals at different stages of their careers. The NEI has subsequently been contributing to the development of academic programmes through partnership projects with academic institutions.

“NUST has developed a green economy research strategy, through which the university envisages itself as the leading research and education centre for green hydrogen in Africa,” said Professor Erold Naomab, the university’s vice-chancellor.

In 2012, the NEI expanded its core mandate beyond renewable energy and energy efficiency, with the inclusion of the following centres: electricity supply, oil and gas, as well as nuclear sciences. The institute is indeed set to become a national energy think-tank.