Billion dollar project envisaged for Walvis

BILLIONS of dollars worth of fuel, water and power production-infrastructure has been proposed by two companies for Walvis Bay, which could help Namibia gain independence from foreign petroleum suppliers, while also harnessing local renewable resources.

‘Project Oasis’, an initiative of Patizana Consulting Services (a Namibian company) was described by the company’s Chairman, PM Limbo, as a strategic and national imperative with far reaching implications for all parties involved. He said the project would establish Walvis Bay as a significant role player within the Namibian and Southern African context and greatly enhance development opportunities.According to Limbo, ‘Project Oasis’ will provide employment opportunities for an estimated 5 000 skilled, semi-skilled and qualified Namibians, while providing for realistic achievements and measurable objectives.Furthermore, N$1 billion has been made available for the initial stage and the overall investment is budgeted at N$15 billion, he added.The consortium Intergen – Texas Consultants Komec (Intergen: TCK) – which boasts more than 15 power plants world-wide, in a motivation letter addressed to the Walvis Bay Municipality stated that it is ‘ready, willing and able’ to facilitate the construction of a petroleum and petrochemical refinery with an estimated capacity of 130 000 barrels per day.Water and power production facilities, which are used in the refining process, were also proposed.This entails a coal and thermal fired power station with an estimated capacity of 400MW that could increase to a full capacity of 800MW within five years; a desalination plant with an output of 100 000 m³ of water per day; as well as a hydroelectric sea tidal power plant that could provide 200MW of electricity.According to Aloys Lucian of Intergen: TCK (Namibia), the consortium can offer a sea tidal power plant in addition to the coal and thermal fired power station or as an alternative, however he stressed that ‘there is no refinery without water and power’.Both companies share the sentiment that such facilities would be major investments, not only as an income source but also as a means to reduce Namibian dependence on outside agencies or suppliers for its fuel needs.The output-capacity will also put Namibia in a position to supply to neighbouring countries.Council has approved the plans in principle and has decided to reserve land for the projects (50 ha each) for 12 months.Environmental Impact Assessment studies and their findings will have to be submitted for further consideration.He said the project would establish Walvis Bay as a significant role player within the Namibian and Southern African context and greatly enhance development opportunities.According to Limbo, ‘Project Oasis’ will provide employment opportunities for an estimated 5 000 skilled, semi-skilled and qualified Namibians, while providing for realistic achievements and measurable objectives.Furthermore, N$1 billion has been made available for the initial stage and the overall investment is budgeted at N$15 billion, he added.The consortium Intergen – Texas Consultants Komec (Intergen: TCK) – which boasts more than 15 power plants world-wide, in a motivation letter addressed to the Walvis Bay Municipality stated that it is ‘ready, willing and able’ to facilitate the construction of a petroleum and petrochemical refinery with an estimated capacity of 130 000 barrels per day.Water and power production facilities, which are used in the refining process, were also proposed.This entails a coal and thermal fired power station with an estimated capacity of 400MW that could increase to a full capacity of 800MW within five years; a desalination plant with an output of 100 000 m³ of water per day; as well as a hydroelectric sea tidal power plant that could provide 200MW of electricity.According to Aloys Lucian of Intergen: TCK (Namibia), the consortium can offer a sea tidal power plant in addition to the coal and thermal fired power station or as an alternative, however he stressed that ‘there is no refinery without water and power’.Both companies share the sentiment that such facilities would be major investments, not only as an income source but also as a means to reduce Namibian dependence on outside agencies or suppliers for its fuel needs.The output-capacity will also put Namibia in a position to supply to neighbouring countries.Council has approved the plans in principle and has decided to reserve land for the projects (50 ha each) for 12 months.Environmental Impact Assessment studies and their findings will have to be submitted for further consideration.