London, Dec. 2, 2019 (AltAfrica)-Namibia is constructing two wind farms to boost power supply and further optimise its grid capacity. The first wind farm of the US$68 million projects is expected to generate 40 MW of electricity.

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The first wind farms is being undertaken by the Namibian electricity utility company, NamPower, the company that provides electricity service in the southern African country and expected to be cited in the Tsau//Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) national park, located near the coast in the southwest of the country.

The project will start with the installation of a measuring mast to confirm the wind potential of the site and define the vertical wind profile. If the wind potential of the site is proven, 16 wind turbines will be installed, producing 40 MW.

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NamPower’s second wind power project will be developed as part of a public-private partnership (PPP). The independent power producer (IPP) that wins this concession will be responsible for building a 50 MW wind farm.

The power will be sold to NamPower under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). “After 12 months of data collection and formal tendering for specifications in the market, the project can begin. Studies are underway at the sites,” says Ernst Krige, senior engineer at NamPower.

The engineer says that the choice of companies, after a thorough review, will depend in particular on the project’s environmental impact management model since the wind turbines will be built in the Tsau//Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) national park.

While the wind turbine is not a direct problem for large mammals, it is a danger to birds that can get their wings caught in the blades as the park is full of them.

There are monk oystercatchers who spend most of their time roaming the water before returning to land at nightfall. There is a large population of larks and alario canaries. To date, no plans have been announced to protect birds. However, Pohamba Shifeta, Namibia’s Minister of Environment and Tourism, said he was committed to protecting local biodiversity.

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