NamPower geared to mitigate Zambian power cuts
NamPower says planned power cuts by its Zambian counterpart Zesco will not adversely affect Namibia owing to local installed capacity and excess supply from other power producers within the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).It follows a recent announcement by Zesco that it would reduce its power exports from 180 megawatts (MW) to 120 MW. This leaves NamPower, which is reliant on Zesco for some of its power, with a shortfall.
Last month, Zambia's energy minister Peter Kapala announced that the Zesco export reductions were a measure aimed at augmenting the domestic supply amid an ongoing energy crisis in the country.
No cause for concern
NamPower MD Kahenge Haulofu said it was, however, not a cause for concern as the public utility company has taken steps to deal with the electricity shortfall.
"NamPower is in frequent contact with all its power suppliers. Since the notification of the force majeure and the imminent reduction of supply from Zesco, NamPower is taking the necessary measures to mitigate the foreseeable effects of the reduction with alternative supply sources from within the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The export reduction by 60 MW has a bearing on the bilateral Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The total contracted capacity amounts to 180 MW. However, it has now been reduced to 120 MW," he said.
Haulofu explained that the Anixas and Van Eck power stations, which are operated when demand is high and electricity imports are constrained, can be dispatched when required.
"Furthermore, the Anixas II power station (54 MW), which is close to completion and is expected to be commissioned in June or July, can be called upon once commissioned. The station will ensure that dispatchable power is available for intermittent renewable energy sources and for emergency power to the Namibian grid during times of deficit within SAPP," Haulofu said.
Daily exports
Focus would also shift to the Ruacana Power Station, owing to good rains received in Angola that are required to allow it to generate efficiently.
"Lastly, although weather and/or climate changes may affect some generation plants in the Southern African Development Community, at the moment, the Kunene catchment basin has provided good inflows and Ruacana is generating well. We have been able to export daily into SAPP for the hours when we had surplus power, thus providing power to our regional SAPP partners when they require it. If the production from Ruacana reduces, the supply situation will be managed as in the past drought years from SAPP sources and through the standby power stations as explained above," he said.