Kudu to pump power by 2011

THE Kudu gas-to-power project is expected to feed electricity into the power grid by 2011.

NamPower engineer Margaret van der Merwe told a group of around 100 engineering and construction professionals in Windhoek yesterday that the final investment decision for the 800 mega watt (MW) power project is expected during the first quarter of next year. “Delays in this power project have come in due to the complexity of having to conclude several power supply and purchasing contracts,” Van der Merwe said.”The important issue here is whether these contracts are to be concluded in US dollars or in local currency.”She was speaking at the first course held in Namibia on the international FIDIC contract system.FIDIC is the French abbreviation for the International Federation of Consulting Engineers.The two-day course covers how to conclude contract systems for international infrastructure projects.The experts attending the course are from local, South African and Japanese companies, all keen to become involved in the approximately N$6 billion Kudu gas project.According to Van der Merwe, Kudu gas will have three components – bringing the gas onshore, the 800 MW power station and the construction of a 700 km gas pipeline from Oranjemund to the Cape in South Africa.This pipeline will be constructed in such a way that the gas flow will be “bi-directional”, meaning gas can be exported and also imported.These different project components require multi-faceted contracts, regarding construction and operation of the different plant components.Projects which have the dimension of Kudu are usually carried out according to FIDIC contract standards, as a lot of sub-contractors will be involved, including design, installation, supplies and services.Van der Merwe spoke of about 1 500 jobs that would be created during the three-year construction phase.”The technology of a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station is new in southern Africa,” NamPower Managing Director, Paulinus Shilamba, said.”The time has come for Namibians as contractors, sub-contractors, consulting engineers and service providers to be prepared and deliver services at the levels and specific contract conditions and standards that are required for such multi-billion projects like Kudu gas.”The course was prepared over a period of two months by NamPower with co-sponsors and presenters from Dewy & LeBoeuf from Britain, ESB International from Ireland and Ernst & Young from South Africa.”Delays in this power project have come in due to the complexity of having to conclude several power supply and purchasing contracts,” Van der Merwe said.”The important issue here is whether these contracts are to be concluded in US dollars or in local currency.”She was speaking at the first course held in Namibia on the international FIDIC contract system.FIDIC is the French abbreviation for the International Federation of Consulting Engineers.The two-day course covers how to conclude contract systems for international infrastructure projects.The experts attending the course are from local, South African and Japanese companies, all keen to become involved in the approximately N$6 billion Kudu gas project.According to Van der Merwe, Kudu gas will have three components – bringing the gas onshore, the 800 MW power station and the construction of a 700 km gas pipeline from Oranjemund to the Cape in South Africa.This pipeline will be constructed in such a way that the gas flow will be “bi-directional”, meaning gas can be exported and also imported.These different project components require multi-faceted contracts, regarding construction and operation of the different plant components.Projects which have the dimension of Kudu are usually carried out according to FIDIC contract standards, as a lot of sub-contractors will be involved, including design, installation, supplies and services.Van der Merwe spoke of about 1 500 jobs that would be created during the three-year construction phase.”The technology of a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station is new in southern Africa,” NamPower Managing Director, Paulinus Shilamba, said.”The time has come for Namibians as contractors, sub-contractors, consulting engineers and service providers to be prepared and deliver services at the levels and specific contract conditions and standards that are required for such multi-billion projects like Kudu gas.”The course was prepared over a period of two months by NamPower with co-sponsors and presenters from Dewy & LeBoeuf from Britain, ESB International from Ireland and Ernst & Young from South Africa.