Baynes Hydroelectric Power Station
| Baynes Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Location of Baynes Hydroelectric Power Station in Namibia | |
| Country | Namibia |
| Location | Kunene Region |
| Coordinates | 17°11′17″S 12°39′02″E / 17.18806°S 12.65056°E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Proposed |
| Operator(s) | NamPower |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Kunene River |
| Baynes Power Station | |
| Turbines | Francis-type 2 x 71 MW (95,000 hp) 3 x 156.75 MW (210,210 hp) |
| Installed capacity | 600 MW (800,000 hp) |
The Baynes Hydroelectric Power Station is a planned 600 megawatts (804,613 hp) hydroelectric power plant in northwest Namibia, at the border with Angola.[1]
Location
[edit]The power station is located across the Kunene River, in the Kunene Region of Namibia, approximately 200 kilometres (124 mi) downstream of Ruacana Hydroelectric Power Station, at the international border with the Republic of Angola.[2]
The location is at the foothills of the Baynes Mountains, approximately 750 kilometres (466 mi), by road, northwest of Windhoek, the capital and largest city of Namibia.[3] The dam and power station would sit astride the border between Angola and Namibia.[1]
Overview
[edit]Before 2005, NamPower, the electricity supply parastatal in Namibia, maintained a Firm Power Contract (FPC) with Eskom of South Africa. That year, the contract expired and could not be renewed because South Africa was having a power shortage of its own. Joint feasibility studies, environmental and resettlement assessments, selected the present location, because it was the least disruptive to the environment and to the lives of the indigenous communities. The governments of Angola and Namibia decided to build a 600 megawatt power station and share the energy equally.[1]
Technical details
[edit]The dam consists of a rock fill embankment with a concrete face. The rock fill will be 12,000,000 cubic metres (423,776,001 cu ft). The maximum dam wall height will be 200 metres (656 ft), creating a reservoir that measures 43 kilometres (27 mi), long and a maximum width of 4 kilometres (2 mi). The resultant lake would have a surface area of 57 square kilometres (22 sq mi) and hold 2,650,000,000 cubic metres (9.3583866812×1010 cu ft) of water. Power will be generated by five Francis-type Vertical Axis turbines. Two turbines will each have capacity of 71 megawatts and three with 156.75 megawatts capacity each.[1]
Construction
[edit]The construction budget has been calculated at US$1.2 billion. Construction is planned to start in 2021 and conclude in 2025. After completion, Angola and Namibia are expected to utilize 300 megawatts each.[4] In April 2020, that timeline was pushed back; with construction starting in 2023 and commissioning in 2029.[5]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d NamPower (6 May 2020). "Profile of Baynes Power Station". Windhoek: NamPower. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (10 April 2020). "Angola & Namibia: Concluded Agreement for Baynes Dam Construction in 2021". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Distance Between Windhoek And Baynes Mountains With Map" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Dominic Mandela (19 March 2020). "Namibia, Angola to develop cross-border Baynes hydroelectric dam". Nairobi: Construction Review Online. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Charmaine Ngatjiheue (20 April 2020). "Baynes Power Plant Construction Slated For 2023". The Namibian. Windhoek. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
External links
[edit]- Hydropower & Dams: Namibia Country Profile
- Kunene River Awareness Kit Archived 18 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine As of 2010.