ONCE Xaris Energy Namibia gets the environmental green light and secures the N$4 billion needed to build a gas supply facility and gas-fired power plant behind Dune 7 near Walvis Bay, Namibia can have a much needed 300 MW of additional electricity by July 2016.
Xaris last year won the N$4 billion NamPower tender to construct its plant, considered as a short-term critical energy supply project until the Kudu gas power project starts functioning in 2018.
Namibia is expected to face a supply deficit by 2016 when key contracts with neighbouring suppliers expire.
It is hoped that Xaris will not only assist in ensuring power supply security and reduce Namibia’s reliance on electricity imports, but also contribute to the development of gas infrastructure from which various industries can benefit. The plan is that Dune 7 area becomes a heavy industry zone that will be a key component of Namport’s SADC Gateway Port project.
Details of the planned plant showed that Xaris proposes to import liquified natural gas (LNG) into the port of Walvis Bay, where it will be ‘regasified’ for use at a power plant that will be constructed east of Dune 7, about 10km from the port.
The development will consist of a floating storage regasification unit (a vessel that will be permanently moored in Walvis Bay’s new harbour where it will store and regasify natural gas); 15 kilometres of sea and land pipeline infrastructure from the vessel to the power plant; a gas turbine power plant situated in a 40 hectare designated zone; and a water pipeline.
According to Xaris’ Hennie Steyn initial plans were to include a desalination plant but this will no longer be necessary as the Walvis Bay municipality suggested that the plant use municipal waste water as there is more than enough of it.
One of the biggest concerns is the event of a possible gas-line rupture.
Steyn assured that it is highly unlikely that such an incident will happen because of quality materials and dimensions used in the pipeline, and besides this, the LNG is said to be safe to both the environment and people, as it is quickly and safely absorbed back into the atmosphere.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
