Name and Location
Van Eck power plant rehabilitation project, Windhoek, Namibia.

Project Description
The project involves the rehabilitation of the existing Van Eck power station, located on the outskirts of Windhoek, by increasing the transmission capabilities of the 38-km-long, 220 kV single-circuit transmission line from the Auas transmission station by at least 100% of its current thermal rating.

The 120 MW Van Eck subcritical thermal coal power station accounts for some 31% of the country’s installed power generation capacity, and the facility is nearing the end of its life, and has become uneconomical to operate on a consistent basis.

It was initially built to serve as an emergency standby power station, which can be operated for short periods only. Over the years, Van Eck has suffered from a lack of proper maintenance and damage due to general use. Virtually all of the major equipment is outdated and needs to be replaced.

Value
The value of the project has not been disclosed.

Duration
The project is scheduled for completion within a seven-month period, once construction gets under way.

Client
Namibian Power Corporation (NamPower).

Key Contracts and Suppliers
US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) (funding for feasibility study).

Latest Developments
NamPower has invited requests for information from interested parties for the engineering and implementation of the project to increase the power capabilities of the Auas power transmission line.

The submissions will also serve to prequalify the interested parties for the subsequent contract, the scope of which includes complete works scheduling, coordination, supervision, design and engineering, manufacture, factory acceptance testing, packing and marking, delivery, transport from manufacturers’ facilities to site, temporary storage on site, insurances, duties and taxes, construction, erection, testing, commissioning, and services during the defects notification period.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
NamPower, tel +264 61 205 4111 or fax +264 61 205 2305; or transmission GM Braam Vermuelen, tel +264 61 205 2961.
USTDA, Nina Patel, tel +1 703 875 4357 or email npatel@ustda.gov.
Van Eck power station, tel +264 61 321 4333 or fax +264 61 265625.