NamPower says the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the completion of its N$630 million Auas-Gerus transmission line project by six months.
The 287 km long 400 kV line, which is being constructed by Tsumeb-based Power Line Africa and runs from Auas substation near Dordabis to Gerus substation near Otjiwarongo, was due to be completed over an 18-month period after work commenced in August 2021.
“The manufacturing and delivery of the transmission towers and conductor material was a major challenge due to the effects of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the subsequent international lockdown, hyperinflation in commodity and oil markets and overall material shortages and delays. This resulted in a 6-month delay to the project,” said NamPower’s Manager: Corporate Communication and Marketing Tangeni Kambangula while giving an update.
She added that route clearance, which consists of de-bushing and clearing 287 km of farmland, has been completed with construction of the tower foundations nearing completion.
“The construction of transmission towers is complete for 359 of the total of 566 towers on the line. At bends, self-supporting structures of 32m in height are used. In the straight section, guyed suspension towers are used, of which the height varies between 28.5m up to 43.5m,” she said.
“These towers have been completed and fitted with the necessary equipment. The appointed contractor has commenced with stringing – a process whereby the conductor responsible for transmission of the electrical power is fitted between the towers.”
Kambangula indicated that the project had to date created in excess of 150 jobs, while an excellent safety record has been maintained.
“NamPower takes pride in the fact that the majority of the N$ 629 million project value is retained and reinvested within Namibia, with only materials which could not be sourced locally having been imported,” said the national power utility’s spokesperson.
The 287-kilometre Auas-Gerus 400 kV transmission line is part of NamPower’s investment in expanding its 400 kV transmission infrastructure backbone, by 833 kilometers at a cost of N$3.5 billion.
The project, when completed according to NamPower, is expected to allow the following:
- To accommodate the energy needs for a growing population with ever changing needs, and an economy that is expected to show a resilient return to growth.
- To allow for evacuation of power from new generation projects, as planned by NamPower (Omburu Solar PV, Anixas Firm Power Project, Otjikoto Biomass, Luderitz Wind and others) as well as the private sector – IPP’s through the Modified Single Buyer model.
- To allow opportunities for energy trading with other utilities within the Southern African Power Pool, for NamPower as well as private sector energy players.
