SA power woes have Namibia on tenterhooks
• Govt to fast-track electricity projects
With Eskom implementing Stage 6 load shedding this week, Namibia is scrambling to secure its 'Plan B' power supply.
Ogone Tlhage
Windhoek
Government plans to fast-track the implementation of electricity-generation projects in a bid to cushion Namibia in the event that it cannot import electricity any more, mines minister Tom Alweendo said yesterday.
He further indicated that “the impending electricity shortage in the [SADC] region is certainly of concern”.
“We’re in discussion with the minister of public enterprises and NamPower to stress-test our Plan B should we no longer be in a position to import electricity.”
This follows reports that South Africa intends to institute a state of disaster as part of efforts to deal with the energy crisis in that country.
Namibia currently imports 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity from bulk electricity company Eskom, which has implemented wide-ranging power cuts across South Africa.
Secure capacity
Discussions are underway to test NamPower’s capability to provide power in the eventuality South Africa decides to cut its supply of power, Alweendo said.
The local power utility is planning to implement various power-generation projects to secure energy capacity totalling as much as 220MW.
The projects will range from solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind to biomass and will be run by NamPower and independent power producers (IPPs), and should all be concluded by 2025, it said.
“As the projects reach completion, they will - over a period of time - reduce our reliance on imports, increase self-sufficiency and improve security of supply. These projects form part of the ministerial determination of 2018 and NamPower’s integrated strategy and business plan for 2020-2025,” the company added.
Among the projects earmarked are a Khan 20MW solar PV IPP project and a 50MW IPP wind project.
No decision taken
The African National Congress (ANC) - which is pushing for a state of disaster in South Africa – has, however, insisted it will not force Eskom to implement power cuts in the Southern African Power Pool.
“We are proposing a state of disaster and have asked our deployees to give us advice how to go about implementing it legally. The commitment South Africa has, Eskom will not be stopped.
“No decision has been taken by the ANC that the SADC countries should not be provided with electricity,” ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said.
Windhoek
Government plans to fast-track the implementation of electricity-generation projects in a bid to cushion Namibia in the event that it cannot import electricity any more, mines minister Tom Alweendo said yesterday.
He further indicated that “the impending electricity shortage in the [SADC] region is certainly of concern”.
“We’re in discussion with the minister of public enterprises and NamPower to stress-test our Plan B should we no longer be in a position to import electricity.”
This follows reports that South Africa intends to institute a state of disaster as part of efforts to deal with the energy crisis in that country.
Namibia currently imports 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity from bulk electricity company Eskom, which has implemented wide-ranging power cuts across South Africa.
Secure capacity
Discussions are underway to test NamPower’s capability to provide power in the eventuality South Africa decides to cut its supply of power, Alweendo said.
The local power utility is planning to implement various power-generation projects to secure energy capacity totalling as much as 220MW.
The projects will range from solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind to biomass and will be run by NamPower and independent power producers (IPPs), and should all be concluded by 2025, it said.
“As the projects reach completion, they will - over a period of time - reduce our reliance on imports, increase self-sufficiency and improve security of supply. These projects form part of the ministerial determination of 2018 and NamPower’s integrated strategy and business plan for 2020-2025,” the company added.
Among the projects earmarked are a Khan 20MW solar PV IPP project and a 50MW IPP wind project.
No decision taken
The African National Congress (ANC) - which is pushing for a state of disaster in South Africa – has, however, insisted it will not force Eskom to implement power cuts in the Southern African Power Pool.
“We are proposing a state of disaster and have asked our deployees to give us advice how to go about implementing it legally. The commitment South Africa has, Eskom will not be stopped.
“No decision has been taken by the ANC that the SADC countries should not be provided with electricity,” ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said.
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