CHAMWE KAIRA
Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group of France is investigating the possibility of funding renewable energy battery storage projects in Namibia, Head of State Owned Enterprises, Ntumba Katabua disclosed in an interview.
Battery energy storage systems operate by converting electricity from the grid or a power generation source (such as from solar or wind) into stored chemical energy.
Katabua explained that the batteries could store power that could be used when there is no sunlight, for example at night. Katabua further said AFD looking at the possibility of supporting a prefeasibility study or feasibility study see whether there is a need for renewable energy battery projects on the Namibian network.
The AFD has facilitated a loan of up to 100 million Euro for the construction and bringing into operation of the 40 MW Otjikoto biomass power station.
This is the second energy project the AFD has funded in Namibia, the first one being the Caprivi-Link Interconnector commissioned in 2010.
Looking forward, Katabua said AFD is now looking how it could be involved in financing the development of renewable energy in Namibia, specifically battery storage projects.
“Green hydrogen is something that we are monitoring from far but for now our primary interest is on the battery storage. We understand that there are other multiple actors that could possibly support green hydrogen, they maybe better placed than us for now in that aspect. For us our focus is on the battery storage.”
Through funding renewable projects, Katabua said this will support the Namibian economy in a way, to increase its energy production. He added that this will also to contribute to its energy independence, by reducing power imports. He added that the battery storage does have a climate benefit because it will increase renewable energy into the network.
Katabua said the AFD is interested in climate compatible funding as its funding as a bank should be responsive to the needs of the challenges of climate change.
Furthermore, Katabua said other forms of support could be extended to SME support by supporting entrepreneurs who are looking to enter into the green revolution framework.
“That is something that we could do. So we are working possibly with financial intermediaries, the likes of the commercial banks, your national development bank to see if we can advance some of their ambitions there.”
According to NamPower, renewable sources connected to the grid now totals 494MW or about 40% of the total energy on an annual basis. Of these projects, 367MW is owned by NamPower and the 127MW belonging to Independent Power Producers. The power plants owned by NamPower include the 347MW Hydro (Ruacana power station) 5MW Wind (Ombepo) and a 20MW Solar NamPower.
The list of Independent Power Producers that have Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with NamPower. Include, InnoSun Omburu (5MW), ANIREP (5MW), Osona (5MW), MetDecci (5MW), Aloe (5MW), Ombepo (5MW), Ejuva One (5MW), Ejuva Two (5MW), Alcon (5MW), Momentous (5MW), Camelthorn (5MW), Sertum (5MW), NCF (5MW), Tandii (5MW), Greenam (2 x 10MW) and Alten (37MW).
