Actom lands N$100m tender

The development of a new power substation just outside Swakopmund is expected to serve as proof of national power supplier NamPower&#039;s confidence in the latest technology.Actom Energy Namibia, which last Friday received a tender worth N$100 million for the Sekelduin development, will provide both the traditional cable network and an optical fibre network with which this substation can be monitored and controlled remotely."Normally, you have two wires per link - one on and one off - but this substation will have the wires as well as an optical fibre link. This will strengthen NamPower&#039;s confidence in this type of technology before it can fully transition," Actom&#039;s general manager Struan Steele said.Steele added that the use of optical fibre will mean technicians do not have to physically go to power substations to monitor or control them, and explained that this is also more cost-effective than a traditional cable network."It requires less maintenance, is faster and easier to control and, when you consider the cost of all that cabling, it&#039;s also cheaper than the traditional way," he said.DevelopmentThis 132/66/33 kV substation forms part of NamPower&#039;s master plan for transmission and, according to managing director Simson Haulofu, will provide for ErongoRED&#039;s electricity demand in light of this region&#039;s plans for socio-economic development.The substation is expected to cater for the Swakopmund and Tamarisk substations as well as NamWater and the Husab mine.ErongoRED will also receive electricity from here for further distribution.Empowering localsActom Energy Namibia is the Namibian branch of South African company Actom Electrical Products.According to Steele, the company has an annual turnover of approximately N$10 billion.He explained Actom has limited experience in projects it has undertaken on its own, but has supplied equipment for the Trekkopje substation, the Omburu plant and the Khan solar plant.He added that Actom intends to empower local subcontractors as much as possible through the Sekelduin project."We want to localise it as far as possible, but use South African expertise," he said.The Sekelduin power substation is expected to be completed by February 2025.- irene@republikein.com.na

Actom lands N$100m tender

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

Actom lands N$100m tender

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

Login