Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Banner Left
Banner Right

Fourth turbine for Ruacana plant ready by 2012

Fourth turbine for Ruacana plant ready by 2012

NAMPOWER yesterday introduced the four contractors who will be responsible for delivering and installing the fourth turbine and generator for the Ruacana hydropower plant on the Kunene River.

Constructed in the seventies by the colonial Portuguese and South African governments, the hydropower plant has three turbines with a joint capacity of N$240 megawatt (MW). Provision was made for a fourth turbine and generator to increase power supply by 90 MW to approximately 330 MW. Putting in the fourth turbine will cost N$750 million, said project leader Grant Muller, who was contracted for this purpose. ‘Completion is envisaged for March 2012.’ Ruacana provides about half of Namibia’s power demand, but due to the irregular flow of the Kunene River, it cannot supply electricity reliably at all times. The four contractors are Alstom of France, Andritz Hydro of Austria, Siemens and Murray & Roberts. NamPower made the decision to install the fourth unit at Ruacana back in 2007.According to NamPower Chairman Andries Leevi Hungamo, Namibia presently has 384 MW installed but due to economic growth, demand had risen to 450 MW. Increasing the capacity of Ruacana – together with the N$3,2 billion Caprivi inter-connector currently 80 per cent completed – would increase self-sufficiency. ‘By 2013 Namibia will have attained electricity self-sufficiency and will also be in a position to export power to the SADC Region,’ he said.

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News