Niël Terblanché
The five Mega Watt solar power plant developed for Orano Mining Namibia which will supply part of the power required for the Erongo Desalination Plant (EDP), reached an important milestone when groundworks at the Trekkopje site commenced recently.
According to Christine De Klerk, Orano Mining’s Communication and Communities Consultant, the plant will be constructed under a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with InnoSun Energy Holdings, known as Phase 1 of the Sorexa Project.
“The agreement includes the establishment of a five MW solar plant at the Trekkopje Site just northeast of Arandis, from where power will be supplied to the EDP, situated at the coast 35 kilometres north of Swakopmund,” she said.
Under the agreement, InnoSun Energy Holdings will design, construct, own and operate the solar plant.
De Klerk said that construction has now commenced and the plant is expected to be operational toward the end of 2024.
“Currently, site fencing, earthworks, trenching, and foundations for the switching and metering substation building are well underway,” she said.
According to De Klerk, the solar power plant will enable Orano to make the provision of water to the Erongo Region from a green electricity source more affordable in the long term and contribute greatly to efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the EDP.
“Once commissioned, the plant is expected to reduce energy costs of the desalination process, and lower annual greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, which is equivalent to 9 722 tons of CO2,” she added.
According to De Klerk, the project is part of Orano’s group policy aimed at lowering its carbon footprint and increasing the share of low-carbon electricity at its operating sites worldwide.
The Erongo Desalination Plant is developed and fully owned by Orano Mining Namibia and operated by Nafasi Water.
The desalination plant was originally built by Orano to supply water to its Trekkopje Mine near Arandis.
Currently, the EDP is an important contributor to the overall supply of potable water delivery system managed by NamWater, providing a substantial portion of the local drinking water supply of the town of Swakopmund as well as the nearby uranium mines and other industries.
