Erasmus Shalihaxwe

Organic Energy Solutions (OES), a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies, has become Namibia’s first and only wood-chip biomass company to achieve SURE (Sustainable Resources Verification Scheme) certification for energy production, marking a significant milestone for the country’s renewable energy sector.
OES managing director Gero von der Wense, said the certification, followed a rigorous three-day audit, which verified that OES’s biomass operations meet the strict sustainability standards required by the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II).
Stating that the achievement positions OES as one of only a handful of SURE-certified energy companies in Namibia, with others operating in the charcoal industry, and being the only SURE-certified wood-chip biomass company in Namibia gives the company a strong competitive edge in local and international markets.
‘’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,’’ said Wense.
He added that the SURE certification opens doors to broader market opportunities, locally and internationally for the company, with the harvesting of biomass exclusively from invasive encroacher bush species that threaten Namibia’s biodiversity, water availability and agricultural productivity. Making the operation an important ecological intervention that restores natural balance to the country’s savanna ecosystems.
Franklin Angermund, Public Affairs and Sustainability Manager at Namibia Breweries Limited, a major client of OES, welcomed the certification, stating that SURE certification directly supports NBL’s Brew a Better Namibia strategy and gives the company surety that the biomass supplied to NBL is responsibly sourced, fully traceable and delivers real environmental benefits.
‘’This assurance positions NBL as a credible partner in driving sustainable energy solutions that protect Namibia’s environment whilst supporting long-term economic resilience. The achievement also represents a breakthrough for Namibia’s biomass industry as a whole,’’ he alluded.
Progress Kashandula, Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG), emphasized the broader significance, arguing that certified members like Organic Energy Solutions is a major milestone for N-BiG and Namibia’s biomass sector. Demonstrating that Namibia’s bioenergy value chain meets international sustainability and traceability standards, an achievement that strengthens Namibia’s position in global markets and enables the country’s bioenergy products to access the European Union market.
‘’OES’s certification directly supports the O&L Group’s broader sustainability goals, including carbon emission reduction, responsible sourcing and local economic development. Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its contribution to biodiversity and rangeland restoration whilst creating jobs in rural communities.
OES also plans to invest in cleaner technologies and explore regional and international markets for sustainable biomass. The SURE certification system tracks biomass from source through the entire supply chain, ensuring complete traceability and transparency. OES maintains strict record-keeping and reporting processes audited by independent third parties, documenting the origin, volume and species of harvested bush as well as all transportation and processing steps,’’ said Kashandula.
He explained that every harvesting operation is conducted under permits and in strict compliance with Namibian environmental and forestry regulations, working closely with local landowners and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Thus, this achievement positions OES as a key player in Namibia’s green economy and the global renewable energy transition, proving that bush biomass can help decarbonize industries whilst supporting environmental goals.