The construction process commenced with the site fencing, earthworks, trenching, and foundations for the switching and metering substation building that's well underway. Photo Orano Mining Namibia
The construction process commenced with the site fencing, earthworks, trenching, and foundations for the switching and metering substation building that's well underway. Photo Orano Mining Namibia

Solar energy boost for EDP's power supply

Reducing carbon footprint
Orano Mining Namibia announced the commencement of the groundwork for the construction of its 5 MW solar plant.
Otis Daniels
The groundwork to construct a 5 MW solar plant developed for Orano Mining Namibia at the Trekkopje site near Arandis commenced recently.

The envisaged power plant will supply a part of the electricity required for the Erongo Desalination Plant (EDP) and is being constructed under a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with InnoSun Energy Holdings, known as phase 1 of the Sorexa project.

The agreement includes establishing the solar plant at the site just northeast of Arandis, from where power will be supplied to the EDP - situated at the coast 35 km north of Swakopmund.

Under the agreement, InnoSun will design, construct, own, and operate the solar plant. The plant is expected to be operational toward the end of 2024 and will enable Orano to provide water to the Erongo region from a green electricity source that will be more affordable in the long term and, in addition, contribute greatly to efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the EDP.

Once commissioned, it is expected to reduce energy costs of the desalination process and lower annual greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, which amounts to 9 722 tons of carbon dioxide. This project is part of the Orano group's policy aiming to lower its carbon footprint and increase the share of low-carbon electricity at its operating sites worldwide.

The EDP is developed and fully owned by Orano Mining Namibia and operated by Nafasi Water. Originally built by Orano to supply water to its Trekkopje mine, the EDP is now an important contributor to the overall supply of potable water to a delivery system managed by NamWater, providing a substantial portion of the local drinking water to Swakopmund as well as the nearby uranium mines and other industries.

The EDP, near the settlement of Wlotzkasbaken in the Namib Desert, is the largest reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant in Southern Africa. The current plant capacity is 20 million cubic meters per annum and can be upgraded to achieve 25 million cubic meters per annum within the existing buildings. Should water demand increase, the plant capacity can be boosted up to 45 million cubic meters per year.

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Republikein 2024-11-15

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