Erongo set for boost as NamPower bankrolls N$100 million project

Power generation in the Erongo region is set for a boost following a decision by the Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) to award a tender worth over N$100 million to Actom Energy Namibia for the completion of the Sekelduin substation at Swakopmund.

Speaking at the signing ceremony between the two entities last Friday, NamPower managing director Simson Haulofu said the project was necessitated by the need to boost power generation for ErongoRed.

ErongoRed is responsible for distributing power to the coastal regions and surrounding areas, although they procure the power from NamPower.

Haulofu said the project will go a long way in improving the grid supply chain in the Erongo region and nationally.

“The substation will use compact mixed technology gas-insulated switchgear for the 132kv and 66kv network and gas-insulated fixed pattern metal-enclosed switchgear mes for the 33kv network.

The high-voltage (HV) plant will be housed indoors in a purpose-suited building to protect it against the highly corrosive marine/desert environment,” Haulofu said.

The Sekelduin substation will be fed from the Kuiseb substation via a new double-circuit 32kv transmission line, he said.

“The station will have two voltage transformative levels from the 132kv busbar; 66kv and 33kv, with power ratings 2x60mva and 1x20mva, respectively.

The 132kv and 66kv systems will use mts which has a smaller footprint than air-insulated switchgear has and is less costly than gas-insulated switchgear.

This substation will mark the first time for NamPower to implement the MTS technology and substation philosophy,” he said.

Haulofu said the high voltage equipment to be installed is general electric compact gas-insulated mixed technology switchgear for the 132kv and 66kv switching systems, as well as gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear for the 33kv switching system.

“This contract between Actom and NamPower is valued at over N$100 million and is expected to be completed by February 2025,” said Haulofu.

He added that the Sekelduin substation is part of the company’s master plan under its capital projects.

“This is an indoor substation that forms part of the ongoing upgrade of the NamPower bulk electricity supply to ErongoRed.

It will enable us to meet the current and future electricity demand due to growth in the Erongo region,” said Haulofu.

The substation is also expected to cater to the Swakopmund and Tamarisk substations, as well as NamWater and Husab mine.

Actom is the largest electrical manufacturing company in South Africa with a turnover of about N$10 billion.

According to Actom general manager Struan Steele, they will complete the project within the expected time frame.

“We have thousands of projects that we have either completed as Actom or been involved in as a subcontractor.

We will use this experience in a supervisory role for this project because the actual work on site will be done by Namibian subcontractors,” he said.

Steele said Actom’s role is to ensure the specific equipment to be used on this project is correctly commissioned and installed.

“We have been training local Namibian artisans over the last few years and certifying them on Actom equipment so that we do not have to send South African staff to Namibia to do installation.”