Lüderitz wind farm close to reality Namibia''s first wind energy plant at Lüderitz could be up in running early next year. “Early 2017, Namibia will have its first clean wind energy being plugged into the grid and we are very excited about it,” said Jan-Barend Scheepers, project manager for InnoSun Energy Holdings that is constructing the project.
Three gigantic wind turbines standing 80 metres high, with a blade span of 43m and a spinning radius of close to 100m will be erected between 5 and 7km east of the harbour town.
Scheepers told Nampa recently that researchers there recorded some of the best wind conditions for energy production.
The project that is a partnership between InnoSun and the Lüderitz Town Council will provide 5 Megawatts (MW) of electricity to the town through the NamPower grid.
InnoSun also constructed the Osona solar plant west of Okahandja in the Otjozundjupa Region, together with Namibia Engineering Corporation (NEC) and Alensy.
This plant supplies power into the national grid via NamPower since the end of August this year.
The plant consists of more than 20 000 panels that supply 5 MW through more than 120 inverters that convert direct current into alternating current. Scheepers said the plant was designed to ensure low maintenance. In case of any incident, the affected part can be replaced or repaired without interrupting the power supply to the national grid.
The fully computerised solar panels follow the sun from sunrise to sunset to ensure optimum energy production.
“Once a wind speed hits above a high we consider dangerous, we will see all panels go into safety mode (horizontal position to minimise wind resistance) within minutes and the wind cannot do any damage to the system,” Scheepers explained.
NEC and Alensy are assigned to the maintenance and upkeep of the plant. The project employed about 70 Namibians during construction.
NAMPA