NamPower, Zesco in 100MW power deal

A 100MW power deal signed and sealed in Lusaka last Wednesday, has upped Namibia’s capability in dealing with power shortages – at least for the medium term.

As part of the 10-year agreement between Nampower and Zesco – the national power utility of Zambia – under which Namibia will import electricity from Zambia at a cost of 4.92 US cents per kilowatt hour, 50MW will be supplied irrespective of whether it is used or not, while the remaining 50MW will be used and paid for as defined by Namibia’s power needs. The deal will come into effect in April next year.According to NamPower Managing Director Paulinus Shilamba, the agreement ‘is a culmination of one of the areas of co-operation (energy) between our two countries as stipulated in the Namibia-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission.’Other areas covered in the commission include transport, crime control, health and education.He said the agreement ‘paves the way to the successful implementation of the Zizabona project which aims at linking the power grids of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia,’ and would contribute significantly towards realising the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) objectives.These include the promotion of cooperation in the planning and operations of regional electricity networks.With the SADC region facing major electricity shortages due to inadequate power generation capacity, Shilamba said NamPower was aware that the agreement would not entirely solve the country or region’s power shortage problems, which are expected to continue until 2012.NamPower has embarked on several other projects in the meantime.These include the Kudu gas project, the Baynes hydropower project on the Kunene River, the installation of the fourth unit at Ruacana, demand-side management programmes and the Caprivi Link Interconnector.The N$3,2 billion Caprivi Link is more than 70 per cent complete and is envisaged to serve as a vital transmission line not only for Namibia, but for the SADC region as a whole, linking the Caprivi region to the rest of Namibia’s national grid, and linking the northern and southern members of the SAPP.Describing reliable power supply as essential for economic development, Shilamba said the Caprivi Link would also ‘ease the pressure which results in the congestion of the 400kV line between Namibia and South Africa’.During the talks in Lusaka, NamPower also continued to engage Zesco in ensuring optimal use of the Caprivi Link Interconnector, which will be a vital link in the Zizabona regional transmission project.nangula@namibian.com.na