NamPower says go!

Augetto GraigSkorpion Zinc’s ambitious expanded and converted refinery will need electrical power, and a lot of it. National power utility NamPower said it is ready to deliver. Here follow responses from NamPower managing director Simson Haulofu to questions regarding the development.How far have negotiations progressed and how soon might an agreement be signed?NamPower, Skorpion and Eskom including the Namibian government are in discussions to find an amicable working solution to supply the new scope of Skorpion. Various supply options have been tabled for the parties to investigate further. The parties have made significant progress on the negotiations, and we envisage the agreement to be finalised before the end of the year.Can Namibia supply the demanded 160MW total installed capacity?The Namibia Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) and ministry of mines and energy’s Ministerial Generation Projects Determination of 2019 makes provision to increase the country’s own generation through various sources. Furthermore, the recently instructed Modified Single Buyer (MSB) market model by the Electricity Control Board (ECB) gives the large end-users a choice of alternative supply from independent power producers (IPPs) to meet up to 30% of their energy requirement needs. Hence, Namibia will be able to supply 160MW through different sources. Moreover, NamPower has made a commitment to supply Skorpion with the required capacity. The NamPower Transmission Master Plan makes provision for additional transmission infrastructure, combined with the already existing 400kV lines to supply the required capacity.Where will this power be generated?The combination of internal supply mix (as illustrated under response number two), plus the existing bilateral contracts with Eskom, ZESCO and ZESA in addition to the SAPP physical market will meet the country’s required and future generation needs. Furthermore, we are currently looking at a hybrid option of imports and 30% participation in the MSB market model, tailor-made to the Skorpion request.How will the power get to Skorpion Zinc?Power has been supplied to Skorpion via NamPower’s transmission infrastructure since the inception of the mine for up to 100MW, which will still be used for the planned supply. NamPower received an application for the increased supply to 160MW. The application is currently under review. How will NamPower meet growing demand in the //Karas Region?//Karas forms part of NamPower’s customers and any future growth in terms of demand will be catered for by the utility. The NIRP and the Transmission Master Plan provide possible solutions to the supply of Namibia in totality.

NamPower says go!

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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NamPower says go!

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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