Wind farming to become reality

HIGH-TECH wind-power systems along the coast may soon become a sustainable solution to the electricity shortage Namibia is facing.

About 102 freestanding wind turbines are to be installed along the coastline from Henties Bay in the north to Oranjemund in the south. Walvis Bay will serve as the centre of operations.Aeolus Power Generation Namibia (APGN), the driving force behind the project, is a joint venture between United Africa Group and a Dutch investor, with the Dutch government contributing some N$300 million by way of a grant.The total cost of the project is expected to reach the N$1 billion mark, fully funded by foreign investors.Of all alternatives to boost the Namibian energy supply, the wind farm project looks to be the quickest solution, as the system is scheduled to be up and running by the end of next year.The project is expected to create an estimated 300 job opportunities.The Dutch investor, Leo van Gastel, realised the need for alternative electricity sources during a previous visit to Namibia.According to him, the wind resource along the Namibian coast was one of the best in the world and would provide a suitable climate for his Green Energy wind-farming methods, which he says have been proven successful in countries across the globe.”South Africa has currently reached a level of energy requirement which will soon prevent it from supporting and exporting to neighbouring countries,” Von Gastel said in a press release.”The shortage will be severe in the coming years, which is an uncertainty that is not viable for an economic growing country such as Namibia, needing to attract investors.”South Africa’s electricity shortage is putting this country into a state of extreme vulnerability, and it is clear that Namibia needs to secure its own uninterrupted energy supply and find a dependable alternative.”Haddis Tilahun, CEO of the United Africa Group, described the project as a vital investment in the country.He said the results would benefit all Namibians and could result in a reduction of electricity tariffs.According to the statement, the Electricity Control Board (ECB) has encouraged the involvement of independent power producers in solving the looming power shortage.It says the ECB issued a licence to Aeolus Green Energy Namibia for the purpose of establishing this billion-dollar wind-farming investment.Walvis Bay will serve as the centre of operations.Aeolus Power Generation Namibia (APGN), the driving force behind the project, is a joint venture between United Africa Group and a Dutch investor, with the Dutch government contributing some N$300 million by way of a grant.The total cost of the project is expected to reach the N$1 billion mark, fully funded by foreign investors.Of all alternatives to boost the Namibian energy supply, the wind farm project looks to be the quickest solution, as the system is scheduled to be up and running by the end of next year.The project is expected to create an estimated 300 job opportunities.The Dutch investor, Leo van Gastel, realised the need for alternative electricity sources during a previous visit to Namibia.According to him, the wind resource along the Namibian coast was one of the best in the world and would provide a suitable climate for his Green Energy wind-farming methods, which he says have been proven successful in countries across the globe.”South Africa has currently reached a level of energy requirement which will soon prevent it from supporting and exporting to neighbouring countries,” Von Gastel said in a press release.”The shortage will be severe in the coming years, which is an uncertainty that is not viable for an economic growing country such as Namibia, needing to attract investors.”South Africa’s electricity shortage is putting this country into a state of extreme vulnerability, and it is clear that Namibia needs to secure its own uninterrupted energy supply and find a dependable alternative.”Haddis Tilahun, CEO of the United Africa Group, described the project as a vital investment in the country.He said the results would benefit all Namibians and could result in a reduction of electricity tariffs.According to the statement, the Electricity Control Board (ECB) has encouraged the involvement of independent power producers in solving the looming power shortage.It says the ECB issued a licence to Aeolus Green Energy Namibia for the purpose of establishing this billion-dollar wind-farming investment.