N$1.9bn wind project takes off
Renewable energy company InnoVent is set to inaugurate its 50MW Diaz Wind Farm in the Tsau//Khaeb National Park, south of Lüderitz, on Friday, 23 October.
The N$1.9 billion project, funded by InnoVent, Lendosphere, IJG and Standard Bank, is expected to generate 240GWh of electricity a year.
The company says this would be equivalent to saving about 80 million litres of diesel that would otherwise be used to generate electricity from diesel-powered generators.
The wind farm comprises 11 turbines with a combined installed capacity of 50MW, of which 44MW will be fed into Namibia's national grid.
Four of the 11 turbines are installed on Nabrabase foundations, a technology that allows turbines to be raised higher to access stronger and more consistent winds.
InnoVent says the technology can increase electricity production by almost 40%, while also reducing the amount of concrete and steel required to construct the foundations.
The amount of concrete required is reduced from about 500 cubic metres for a conventional foundation to 80 cubic metres, while steel requirements fall from about 60 tonnes to 10 tonnes per turbine.
According to InnoVent, the commissioning of the wind farm will significantly increase its contribution to Namibia's renewable energy generation and support the country's transition towards a more diversified electricity supply.
Once the Diaz Wind Farm is operational, InnoVent's renewable energy projects are expected to account for about 9% of Namibia's final electricity consumption.
"This milestone represents not only a significant investment in Namibia's energy future but also a lasting contribution to a more sustainable, resilient and self-sufficient nation," the company said.
The inauguration will begin at the Lüderitz Nest Hotel with a formal welcome and introductory address, followed by speeches from industry figures including Ben Amathila, Dr Tjama Tjivikua, acting Electricity Control Board chairman Kahenge Simson Haulofu, NamPower managing director and Gregoire Verhaeghe the Consul of Namibia in Lille, France, who is also chairman of InnoVent.
The delegation will then travel to the wind farm outside Lüderitz for a guided site tour, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and plaque unveiling.
InnoVent's renewable energy portfolio currently supplies about 2.4% of Namibia's final electricity consumption.
The company has operated in Namibia since 2011 and has developed several renewable energy projects, including the Omburu, Osona, Alcon, Sorexa and CBV2 solar parks, as well as its first wind farm, Ombepo.
Together, these projects have a combined capacity of 32MW of solar photovoltaic power and 6MW of wind power.
