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.