A national conversation on energy, environment, and economic opportunity is underway as TotalEnergies intensifies public consultations for its ambitious offshore Venus oil project, set to transform Namibia’s energy landscape.

Following packed meetings in Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop, Bethanie, and Oranjemund, the energy giant will bring its environmental and social impact consultations to Windhoek this week. Sessions are scheduled for 22 April at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre and 23 April at the United Nations Plaza.

The Venus project, which aims to produce up to 150,000 barrels of oil per day in its initial phase, is being developed through a joint venture with Namcor, Impact Oil and Gas, and Qatar Energy. It represents one of Namibia’s most significant offshore discoveries to date.

The consultation process, led by Urban Dynamics and supported by environmental experts from SLR Environmental Consulting, is part of the project’s scoping phase an early but critical step in assessing its environmental and social footprint.

“The sessions are facilitated by Urban Dynamics and are structured in different formats, such as open houses, formal public meetings, and focus groups to provide flexibility to participants to get informed and engage in a way that suits them best,” said Laurent Roché, managing director of exploration and production at TotalEnergies. 

Stakeholders, including residents, youth, and local businesses, have shown strong interest. In the //Kharas region alone, more than 750 people attended the sessions, often extending beyond the scheduled times due to lively discussion and public engagement.

Consultations will continue in the coming weeks in coastal towns like Swakopmund, Henties Bay, and Walvis Bay, where TotalEnergies and Namcor representatives will address concerns ranging from environmental safeguards to employment opportunities.

Feedback collected will help shape the next phase of the environmental assessment and will be submitted to Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism after further community validation.

“The partners are expecting feedback from the stakeholders on the potential impacts of such a project so they can be studied by independent experts from SLR Environmental Consulting, and then presented first to community members for feedback, and then to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.” Roché emphasized.