NamPower secures N$2.6 billion from World Bank
World Bank supports utility company
The money will be earmarked for the development of a battery energy storage system facility and the development of the Auas-Kokerboom transmission line, among others.
Namibia this week secured N$2.6 billion for the development of the Auas-Kokerboom transmission line and the development of a battery energy storage system facility to help the bulk energy supplier support bankable renewable energy projects.The funding for the projects was provided by a World Bank facility and will help NamPower keep up with Namibia’s energy demands, CEO Kahenge Haulofu said.
The project is structured around three components, namely the development of the second Auas-Kokerboom transmission line, the development of a utility-scale battery energy storage system facility and technical assistance activities to support NamPower in developing bankable renewable energy projects.
Crucial investment
The transmission expansion and energy storage (TEES) project is intended to improve the reliability of the country’s transmission network and enable increased integration of renewable energy into the country’s electricity system, Haulofu explained.
“This is one of the major strategic and crucial investments towards the Namibian electricity transmission network. Once completed, it will allow NamPower to maintain pace with the evolving and increasing electricity needs of the country,” Haulofu said following the signing of the agreement with the Bretton Woods lender.
According to him, the project will support the development of a systematic socio-economic framework to support job creation, skills development and female employment during the design and implementation of utility-led projects.
Regarding the TEES project, it would further support NamPower’s ability to undertake more renewable energy projects in the future.
Leaders in green energy
The transmission line will be key to unlocking increased access to variable renewable energy within Namibia as well as facilitating regional electricity trading.
"Further, our second utility-scale battery energy storage system will be developed and integrated in our transmission network to support the development and uptake of renewable energy plants,” Haulofu said.
World Bank country director for Namibia, Satu Kahkonen, said NamPower and Namibia are uniquely geared to becoming leaders in the green energy space.
“Namibia is a uniquely positioned regional leader in the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future. The World Bank is delighted to support Namibia’s commitment to expand domestic energy generation with renewable solutions, consistent with the country’s second Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPPII). This project will support NamPower to develop future renewable energy projects,” Kahkonen said.