NamPower

NamPower

NamPower

Electricity utility company in Namibia


Namibia Power Corporation, commonly known as NamPower, is the national electric power utility company of Namibia. The company is responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the country. Its activities are licensed, supervised and regulated by the Electricity Control Board (ECB) of Namibia.[2][3]

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A NamPower employee at work
Electrical substation of NamPower


Location

The company headquarters are located at NamPower Centre, 15 Luther Street, Windhoek, Khomas Region, Namibia.[3] The geographical coordinates of the company headquarters are 22°33'17.0"S, 17°05'07.0"E (Latitude:-22.554722; Longitude:17.085278).[4]

History

NamPower was founded in 1964 as the South West Africa Water and Electricity Corporation (SWAWEK) by the government of South Africa. SWAWEK was introduced as a company of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of the Republic of South Africa. The early history of the company revolves around the Kunene River hydroelectric project. In 1996, several years after Namibia's Independence, the company was renamed NamPower.[3]

Operations

NamPower operates 3 major electricity generating facilities:

  1. Ruacana Hydroelectric Power Station, a hydroelectricity power plant on the Kunene River at Ruacana at the Angolan border, with installed capacity of 347 megawatts
  2. Van Eck Power Station, a thermal facility located in Windhoek, powered by coal, with installed capacity of 120 megawatts
  3. Anixas Thermal Power Station in Walvisbay, powered by diesel, with generation capacity of 22.5 megawatts.

There is also one standby diesel power station in Walvisbay, Paratus Thermal Plant, with 18 megawatts.[2]

Renewable Energy Projects

Biomass

Heaps of chipped woody biomass in Namibia

NamPower conducted a feasibility study on a first biomass electricity plant in the country. The concept foresees the utilisation of excess woody biomass, of which the country possesses an estimated 400 million tonnes due to woody plant encroachment. Woody encroachment is the growth of bushes and trees at the expense of grass and is caused by overgrazing and climate change. In 2015 NamPower initiated the feasibility study on bush-to-electricity and formed a dedicated biomass project unit. Results and an investment decision are expected for early 2024. A 40 megawatts biomass power plant requires an annual supply of 180,000 to 240,000 tonnes of chipped biomass, which can be supplied from within a 50 kilometres (31 mi) due to around 10 tonnes of bush biomass harvestable per hectare.[5][6] In 2023, NamPower engaged in a partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council for the purpose of introducing sustainability certification for the future biomass supply chain.[7]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "NamPower - Company Profile".
  2. [2]
    "Namibia: Country Commercial Guide: Energy". Washington, DC, United States: International Trade Administration. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. [3]
    "Company Profile of Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower)". Washington, DC: Devex.com. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. [4]
    Google (12 April 2021). "Location of NamPower Headquarters" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. [5]
    Bioenergy International (26 October 2020). "NamPower submits EIA for Otjikoto biomass power project". Stockholm, Sweden: Bioenergy International. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. [6]
    "NamPower issues tender for 40 MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Station | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  7. [7]
    "Further Opportunities to deal with Bush Encroachment in Namibia". Forest Stewardship Council. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
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