NamPower yesterday reported that construction of the 287km long 400kV Auas-Gerus transmission line is progressing well and is on course for completion in mid-2023. The national power utility first announced commencement of the construction in August 2021 for the line that will run from Auas substation near Dordabis, to Gerus substation near Otjiwarongo.
According to a NamPower statement, route clearance, which consists of de-bushing and clearing of 287km of farmland, has been completed all the way, and construction of the tower foundations are nearing completion.
“The construction of transmission towers is complete for 359 of the total of 566 towers on the line. At bends, self-supporting structures of 32 metres in height are used. In the straight section, guyed suspension towers are used, of which the height varies between 28.5 metres up to 43.5 metres.
Motorists travelling between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo would have noticed several structures that have been erected, particularly between the Okakarara turn-off to Otjiwarongo. These towers have been completed and fitted with the necessary equipment,” NamPower stated. Meanwhile, the appointed contractor, Power Line Africa, has commenced with stringing, which is a process whereby the conductor responsible for transmission of the electrical power is fitted between the towers.
“The manufacturing and delivery of the transmission towers and conductor material was a major challenge due to the effects of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the subsequent international lockdown, hyperinflation in commodity and oil markets and overall material shortages and delays. This resulted in a six month delay to the project,” NamPower explained.
The corporation also said it takes pride in the fact that majority of the N$629 million project value is retained and reinvested within Namibia, with only materials which could not be sourced locally having been imported. The Namibian contractor, Power Line Africa, currently has an excess of 150 Namibians employed on the project.
Furthermore, the contractor has also maintained an excellent safety record, with no major injuries reported to date.
NamPower owns a world-class transmission system and a network of 66kV to 400kV overhead lines, spanning a distance of more than 11 700km. The construction of the Auas-Gerus transmission is part of NamPower’s investment in expanding its 400kV transmission infrastructure backbone, by more than 800 kilometres.
“The line is a testament of NamPower’s ambition to deliver sustainable security of supply and a least-cost tariff path that will support economic growth and maintain the company’s financial sustainability. Continuous investments are made to keep the national grid in a superior condition to ensure an efficient, reliable and effective network with minimal disruptions,” the power utility stated.