Namaacha Wind Power Station Explained

Namaacha Wind Power Station
Location Map Caption:Location of Namaacha Wind Power Station in Mozambique
Country:Mozambique
Location:Namaacha, Namaacha District, Maputo Province
Coordinates:-25.9722°N 32.0475°W
Owner:EleQtra Mozambique Limited
Status:UC
Cost:US$280 million (€234 million)
Th Fuel Primary:Wind power
Commissioned:2023 Expected

The Namaacha Wind Power Station, is a wind-powered electricity power station under construction in Mozambique. It is the first grid-ready wind energy infrastructure in the country. It is under development by EleQtra Mozambique Limited, a subsidiary of the American independent power producer, EleQtra. The power station will be developed in two phases of 60 megawatts each. The estimated construction budget is US$280 million (approx. €234 million). The energy generated here will be sold directly to Electricidade de Moçambique, the Mozambican electric utility company, under a long-term power purchase agreement.[1] [2]

Location

The power station is located near the town of Namaacha, in Namaacha District, in Maputo Province, in the southwestern part of the country, adjacent to the international border with Eswatini.[3] This is approximately 69km (43miles) west of the city of Matola, the capital of Maputo Province. This is about 79km (49miles), by road, west of Maputo, the capital and largest city in the country.

Overview

In 2018, the Mozambican Energy Fund (FUNAE), awarded the development rights of this power station to EleQtra. The power station is the first large-scale grid-ready wind farm in the country.[1] [2] The energy generated at this wind farm will be relayed via high voltage transmission wires to an EDM substation at Boane, Mozambique, where the energy will be absorbed into the national electricity grid.[4] Boane is located approximately 45km (28miles), by road, east of Namaacha.

Construction and financing

The estimated US$280 million construction bill will be met by EleQtra. The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), granted funding to EleQtra to finance a feasibility study for this wind farm.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Construction started in late 2020 and is expected to conclude in late 2023. Construction is expected to create an estimated 700 jobs, the majority of them Mozambican.[1] [2] [3] [4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Afrik21.africa . Mozambique: EleQtra starts construction of the 120 MW Namaacha wind farm . 3 September 2020 . Inès Magoum . 22 September 2021 . Paris, France.
  2. Web site: Namaacha wind project in Mozambique starts construction . CCEOnlineNews.com . 3 September 2020 . CCE Online News . 22 September 2021 . Nairobi, Kenya.
  3. Web site: Mozambique's 1st wind project enters construction - report . Renewablesnow.com . 31 August 2020 . Ivan Shumkov . 22 September 2021 . Sofia, Bulgaria.
  4. Web site: Wind energy in Mozambique: First wind farm to be set up . 31 August 2020 . Evwind.es . EvWind . 22 September 2021 . Madrid, Spain.