Staff writer
Nampower Managing Director Kahenge Simson Haulofu says that in addition to the provision of electricity, generation projects such as the newly installed Omburu Power Station will reduce the overall NamPower tariff to the customer.
He said this would be done by introducing an affordable “new-build” renewable energy to the Namibian grid.
“They support Namibia’s Energy and Renewable Energy Policy targets for 70 per cent of renewable energy generation by 2030. They will support the commitments made at COP26 to reduce Namibia’s emissions by 91 per cent within the next five years,” he said.
He said Nampower budgeted N$420 million during the Omburu PV Project’s planning phase for the development and construction.
“On 17 December 2020, the EPC Contract was awarded to Namibian Contractors, Hopsol Africa and Tulive Private Equity Joint Venture, at the cost of N$317 million. The Joint Venture of HopSol/Tulive successfully completed the site construction works on 29 March 2022. Although this project was delayed due to the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic, I am happy to report today that this project was completed within budget,” said Haulofu.
According to the Nampower MD, semi-skilled and unskilled labourers were sourced locally from Omaruru local community for the project.
“In order to provide innovative electricity solutions in an evolving market, the Omburu Power Station is built to be ready for battery energy storage.”
Mines and energy deputy minister Kornelia Shilunga said the Omburu 20 MW Solar PV Power Station and other generation and transmission projects are meant to reposition the country to address its limited generation capacity while working towards reaching the target of sourcing 70 per cent of Namibia’s energy from renewable energy sources by 2030.
“It is a well-known fact that Africa and, by extension Namibia is blessed with renewable energy sources, which largely remain untapped. There is a wealth of opportunities in the expansion and production of renewable energy sources, a drive that will set us well on our way to close the energy gap on the continent, while contributing to the acceleration of energy transition,” Shilunga said.
