Ruacana power plant is located on the Kunene river on the border of Angola and is state owned power utility Nam Power’s largest power plant, accounting for some 80% of Namibia’s annual electricity production.
The upgrade project represents Nam Power’s first major power plant investment in several years and will help satisfy growing national electricity demand while lowering the country’s dependence on imports.
alstom’s share of the contract is approximately €16M and its scope of supply comprises one generator set, excitation system, control and protection system and electrical auxiliary systems, as well as the connection to the existing plant. The consortium will handle the turnkey installation, commissioning and testing of the new unit, which has an output of 92MW (greater than the existing three 82MW units), an increased overall efficiency of 93.3% and a net head of 130.5m. Start of commercial operation is planned for March 2012.
alstom supplied hydro-mechanical equipment and other systems to the Ruacana power plant at the beginning of its construction in 1977.
