Alweendo switches on 400 kV transmission line
Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo officially switched on the 289 km Auas-Gerus 400kV transmission line on Friday.The Auas-Gerus project worth more than N$870 million, involves the construction of a N$629 million power line as well as the upgrade of the Auas substation to the tune of N$241 million, according to the managing director of NamPower, Kahenge Simson Haulofu.
Haulofu said this is a milestone in the larger NamPower 400 kV expansion program worth more than N$4 billion which aims to strengthen the backbone of the national power grid with about 800 km of 400 kV line.
Following the Auas-Gerus line, NamPower is already working on the construction of the Obib-Oranjemund line and the Auas-Kokerboom transmission line. The 96 km line from Obib to Oranjemund will provide the second 400 kV connection between NamPower and South Africa's Eskom and is expected to be completed by the second half of next year for N$1.2 billion.
The Auas-Kokerboom line is the second to connect the substations outside Windhoek and Keetmanshoop respectively, and is financed by the World Bank at around N$1.85 billion. Construction on this line should start next year and the line should be operational by 2028.
Haulofu said the strengthened network will be able to handle future capacity requirements, but also offers Namibia greater ability to trade in power supply and to distribute power within the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
In addition, 420 kV air-core high voltage diversion reactors (HVSRs) are now being used on the Auas line for the first time in Africa and the second time in the world to prevent excessive voltage levels. In the past, NamPower used oil-based systems that required more maintenance and expense. Since 2021, it was decided to install the HVSR systems in new substations, Haulofu said.
Channel of progress
Power Line Africa CEO Francois Schoonbee said at the same event that the construction of the power line in 24 months was a "miracle of engineering and determination" and a "channel of progress".
"Namibians did this for Namibians and is an example of what we can achieve together," he said.
On behalf of Adenco-CSV Namibian Construction Consortium, Linda Shaanika said that this was their first experience with the construction of a 400 kV substation and proof that Namibians can build their infrastructure.
Minister Alweendo described the construction of the 400 kV transmission line as a significant milestone in Namibia's energy security and cooperation in the region.
“This infrastructure will facilitate increased regional trade, allowing us to export surplus energy to neighbouring countries. Furthermore, it will improve the security of our energy supply to meet the increasing demands of industries and ensure stability and reliability for investors."
Alweendo expressed his pride in the work done by Namibians and says the skills and experience gained will enable Namibians to complete similar projects in the future successfully.
The new line offers transmission capacity of up to 600 Megawatts and comprises 422 power poles at least 8.1 meters high and 9.3 meters high where it crosses the road over the new airport road, the B6, B1, C33 and C38.
At the same time, 48 cores of optical fibre were laid in the ground to protect it from lightning and provide additional data capacity through the GridOnline network.
As part of the technological advancements that the Auas-Gerus transmission line brings, Alweendo said it will strengthen greater access to data services in Namibia's information technology industry, encourage regional connectivity and also drive innovation and economic growth. – [email protected]