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Otjikoto Biomass Power Station

Otjikoto Biomass Power Station (OBPS), is a biomass-fired thermal power plant under development in Namibia. The power station is owned and under development by NamPower, the national electricity utility company. As raw material, the power station is designed to use wood chips.

Location

The power plant is under construction approximately , north of the town of Tsumeb, in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia. Tsumeb is located approximately northeast of Windhoek, the largest city and national capital of the country.

Overview

The 40 MW power-generating plant is designed to use as raw material, wood chips derived from shrubs and bushes that grow abundantly in the locality where the power station is located, as a result of woody plant encroachment. NamPower, the owner/developer of the power station intends to integrate the power generated here into the Namibian grid. The power station will burn wood chips to heat water and produce steam. The steam will then be used to turn turbines and generate electricity.

Construction costs and funding

Financing was obtained from various sources as outlined in the table below. The construction budget is calculated as US$151.83 million.

Contractor and timeline

The selected engineering, procurement and construction contractor is Dong Fang Electric International Corporation (DFEIC) of China. Construction was expected to start in H1 2024 and commercial commissioning is expected in Q1 2027. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 15 November 2024 at the construction site.

Ecocological and Social Support Measures

The Mitigation Action Facility and the French Facility for Global Environment co-fund a technical support measure to promote ecological restoration and social inclusion in the fuel supply chain of the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station. This measure is among others implemented by Namibia Nature Foundation and Namibia Biomass Industry Group.

Macro-economic impacts

Several benefits are expected to accrue from this project including:

  1. It has been estimated that around N$21 million (US$1.14 million) in economic benefits could be achieved, both through the commercial activity along the fuel supply chain and through improved ecosystem services, such as "increased groundwater recharge and improved agricultural productivity in harvested areas".
  2. The project increases the country's generation capacity as it strives to become a net energy exporter by 2030.
  3. This power station is part of Namibia's efforts to reduce dependency on imported electricity.

See also

References

External links