Chamwe Kaira
Diamond producer, Namdeb has invested approximately N$8.6 million on Namibia’s first ever battery-electric bus (E-bus) project that recently arrived in Namibia.
“Namdeb invested approximately N$8.6 million on this project. This amount includes supporting infrastructure such as the charging stations, training and spares. The cost of a bus is roughly N$3.7 million which is 42% of the total project cost,” said corporate affairs manager, Shangelao Ndadi in response to a query by Observer Money.
The company has said the arrival of the bus in Oranjemund aligns to Namdeb’s value of sustainability and the Company’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The company has undertaken to reduce its overall diesel and electricity consumption by improving efficiency of its processes as part of accelerating its carbon neutrality journey.
The E-Bus forms part of a pilot testing in relation to battery electric vehicles to reduce the use of diesel. A total of approximately 30 drivers and 15 mechanics are expected to undergo driving and maintenance training of which 50 percent have been completed since the arrival with training scheduled in sessions.
Namdeb is exploring the possibility of procuring additional six similar buses over the next two years.
The bus is designed to be a right-hand drive type with the ability to operate, at full capacity, on gravel and tarred roads with maximum gradient of 10%. In addition, the battery is designed to be able to cover at least 250 km, with air conditioning, on a single charge. The bus is manufactured by King Long and is a 65-seater.
Namdeb is further investigating advanced potential solutions that support achieving its carbon neutral goals which include installation of rooftop solar of 250kw on the company’s office and workshop roofs, development of a larger solar facility solution to supplement the wind farm and reduce the fossil electricity by a further 20 percent and evaluate options to electrify current diesel consuming operations, alternative green fuels as well as possible nature-based carbon capture solutions in its mining areas.
