Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) says over six renewable energy projects currently in development are expected to contribute 250 megawatts (MW) to the national electricity grid.
NamPower Managing Director Simon Haulofu said these projects form part of NamPower’s 2020-2025 Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP), aimed at bolstering the country’s energy security through sustainable power generation.
“Overall, our ISBP included six key projects, amounting to a total of 250 megawatts of power generation. We are confident that once these projects are completed, they will significantly contribute to our national grid,” he said.
Among the projects already making headway is the 20MW Omburu Solar Photovoltaic (PV) plant, which was commissioned in April 2022.
Haulofu said this facility is now fully operational, marking a significant milestone in the company’s renewable energy drive.
In addition, a 20MW Khan Solar PV project, being developed by an independent power producer (IPP), is nearing completion.
“This project is on track to be commissioned by the end of September, or possibly the second week of October. They are already planning for the inauguration, and we are looking forward to its completion,” Haulofu revealed.
The next major development is the Anixas II Power Station, a 50MW facility located at Walvis Bay.
Haulofu noted that the project is in its final testing and commissioning stages, with NamPower expected to officially take over the project within two weeks.
This project, valued at N$1.259 billion, began after the signing of an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with FK Namibia Joint Venture in 2022.
He added that a 40MW biomass power plant at Tsumeb will add to the grid.
“The contract for this project has been awarded and was signed here in this room. By the 25th of this month, I expect we will be ready to commence the next phase,” Haulofu said.
The biomass plant is expected to take approximately 30 months to commission, with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2027.
NamPower is also advancing its plans for wind energy. A 50MW wind power project at Lüderitz, under the development of CERIM, has already begun.
“The contract has been awarded to a company called CERIM, and they are actively rolling out the project. Soon, we will start to see heavy equipment being delivered to the site as the project progresses,” Haulofu noted.
NamPower is not stopping with these six projects. Haulofu highlighted that the company’s board of directors is already planning for a new ISBP, which will set the tone for future developments, with consultants being hired to assist in the execution of the upcoming project.
“Looking ahead, our board of directors has already made the decision to start planning for the upcoming years. We are in the process of hiring consultants to assist us in this endeavour and ensure the successful execution of our future projects,” Haulofu said.-miningandenergy.com.na
