The National Power Utility (NamPower) says it has scrapped its initial plan for a 40 megawatts (MW) wind power project at Rosh Pinah, opting for a N$1-billion solar photovoltaic plant with an increased generation capacity of 70MW.
The 70MW solar project replaces the 40MW Rosh Pinah wind project, which has been discontinued as a result of lower than anticipated wind resources at the Rosh Pinah site.
“The new venture will cost approximately N$1 billion, of which the final contract price will be subject to the competitive bidding process, while the project will be financed through a concessional loan from KfW,” NamPower Managing Director Simson Kahenge Haulofu told The Brief.
“The 70MW Solar PV Power Plant is being developed on NamPower’s balance sheet meaning it will be owned, operated and maintained by NamPower after completion,” Haulofu added when queried about the ownership and management of the project.
This is after the tender specification stated that the project will be undertaken on a turnkey basis meaning the supplier will be responsible for the design, manufacture, supply, site preparation and services, installation and commissioning of equipment, tests and trials, training, maintenance and handing over to the purchaser for operation.
NamPower has been working on a five-year strategic plan dating from 2020, in which it envisages producing 250MW by 2025.
Other projects undertaken so far include the 20MW Omburu Solar PV, which was commissioned in April 2022, and the 50MW Anixas II Power Station with planned completion in the second quarter of 2024.
A further 40MW Biomass Power Project will be completed in 2026, in addition to 20MW Khan Solar PV, an independent power producer anticipated for completion next year, while the recently commissioned 50MW Lüderitz Wind IPP with CERIM is expected to be completed in 2025.
“Therefore, the 70MW Rosh Pinah Solar PV Power Plant forms part of the Integrated Strategic Business Plan for the period 2020 – 2025 and is being implemented in support of national policies aimed at ensuring the security of supply and self-sufficiency and achieving renewable energy target of sourcing 70% of the energy from renewable energy sources.”
“To achieve this, NamPower will develop several generation projects based on, amongst others, solar, wind and biomass technologies to meet self-sufficiency target of 80% by 2028 and ensure security of supply in line with the cabinet approved the National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) for the Electricity Sector,” Haulofu said.
The NIRP is a 20-year roadmap for the electricity sector development plan, with the aim of providing an indication of Namibia’s electricity demand and how this demand could be supplied and the cost of supply.
Taking cognisant of the fact that solar panels have a lifespan of 25 years, Haulofu said, NamPower has made mitigation plans such as early replacement.
“Overall, power plants can be refurbished when required to ensure available capacity is maintained in line with contractual obligations with off-taker,” he stated.
