Paving the way for sustainable energy

Lilongeni Unoovene is a 28-year-old energy consultant who was born in Windhoek and grew up in the small town of Oranjemund.

Described by his peers as a man with a pleasant demeanour, he is a well-spoken individual with high ambitions in the renewable energy industry. He authored several articles, and one is currently trending: Namibia's Potential for Energy Sustainability

Unoovene works with major solar renewable energy suppliers, the government, and private institutions, focusing on establishing national projects, designing systems, assisting with system commissioning, and establishing a network of renewable energy initiatives.

"I mainly focus on promoting the social and economic living conditions of people who lack necessities such as lighting. I am optimistic that I will make a significant difference in these people's lives," Unoovene said.



Background

Unoovene graduated from the University of Science and Technology with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (NUST). He recently received his green card certificate through a programme that promotes safe and high-quality solar PV installations.

In 2019, he worked as a graduate engineer for the Biomass Utilisation and Sustainable Harvest (Bush) project. The project aimed to promote research on the economic usage of biomass using controlled bush thinning. He honed and developed his technical report writing skills, which contributed significantly to the literature of two sub-projects. He was later promoted to assistant project manager.

Unoovene also worked for one of the most well-known bottling companies (Coca-Cola), where he worked on improving manufacturing standards and processes.



Typical day

The energy consultant likes to spend his time strategically, starting with the important tasks, which mostly include meetings, site visits, and consulting with clients on their renewable energy requirements and offering them possible solutions.

"My entire routine revolves around identifying and resolving problems for my client as well as implementing viable long-term solutions," Unoovene said.

After work, he usually goes to the boxing gym to train, which is how he tries to keep fit.

In the evening, he makes plans for the next day.



A go-getter mentality

Unoovene believes that everyone is special, emphasising the importance and power of individuality.

"Never compare yourself to others because everyone must run their race and everyone has their own set of challenges and perspectives on life, so one should concentrate on themselves," he said.

He believes that taking the time to reflect is crucial, as it enables individuals to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and learn from past mistakes.

He also says education is important, advising the youth to be intentional when it comes to learning and seizing opportunities.

"Never be afraid of failure because it is a stepping stone to success, and avoid being ashamed of your hustle because no one will feed you if you go hungry," he said.

Unoovene added that it is important to recognise the impact of the company one keeps, saying it is wise to surround oneself with ambitious and goal-oriented individuals, especially when seeking personal growth and improvement.