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Theme: Namibia’s first photovoltaic (PV) power plant
// CRONIMET MINING POWER SOLUTIONS is
constructing Namibia’s first PV Power Plant
Author: Sabrina Steinhauser
Date: November 2014
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CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions GmbH (“CRONIMET”) is a utility scale project developer
and independent power producer focused on solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The company
develops, finances, owns and operates utility scale solar plants that provide renewable energy
to mining companies, industrials and municipalities worldwide. CRONIMET’s key business
activities include providing energy efficiency management services, engineering, procurement
and construction (“EPC”) services, operation & maintenance services and independent power
producer (“IPP”) developments. In collaboration with CRONIMET global mining, metals and
trading group and its Joint Venture partners, CRONIMET has developed and constructed over
300MW of PV facilities in South Africa, Canada and Europe.
CRONIMET, headquartered in Munich/ Germany, and with subsidiaries in Windhoek/ Namibia,
Johannesburg/ South Africa and Gaborone/ Botswana, has extensive experience in utility
scale power project development and operation and a diverse team with extensive
engineering, planning, project management, construction and finance experience. CRONIMET
provides off-grid and grid connected utility scale solar PV facilities from 1 - 100 MW and has
in-depth experience as an EPC contractor. By integrating renewable energy into the energy
mix of its clients, CRONIMET significantly cuts operating costs up to 30%.
On August 18th, 2014 CRONIMET officially began its engineering, procurement and
construction (EPC) contracting activities for Namibia’s largest photovoltaic (PV) power plant in
Omburu, two hours northwest of Windhoek. InnoVent, the French wind developer operating
locally in Namibia as InnoSun, selected CRONIMET to manage and execute EPC services
and to provide the construction risk-wrap for the 4.5MW solar PV project. As the EPC
contractor, CRONIMET carries full responsibility for the engineering, technical planning, PV
plant layout, construction and integration and will oversee the connection of the power plant to
NamPower’s grid.
The system will be constructed over an area of 14 hectares. CRONIMET has drilled 1152 holes
in this area, which are the foundation points for the single axis tracking system. The
foundations are the base for 64 tracking systems. One tracking system consists of six tables
connected to one motor which is turning the mounted modules from east to west to follow the
sun during daytime and herewith maximize the daily and yearly energy output. In total the
installation will consist of 384 tracking tables which hold a total of 33,418 thin film modules and
528 crystalline modules. CRONIMET will have the PV plant completed and connected before
the 1st of April 2015, from when Namibia will have its first utility scale PV plant connected to
supply Namibians with renewable energy. It will generate a total of 11,025MW hours of clean
and reliable electricity per year that will feed into NamPower’s national grid system and replace
over 8500 tons of CO2 per year.
CRONIMET has established a local Namibian base EPC contracting and energy development
services company, CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions Namibia (Pty) Ltd, to employ and
transfer skills locally. CRONIMET will also employ local staff to operate and maintain the
4.5MW plant for up to 20-years and is working together with local subcontractors like NEC,
Alensy, GSFA and Excel Construction & Services CC. to ensure the value chain and
knowledge transfer occurs in Namibia.
CRONIMET is currently developing a portfolio of over 300 MW of IPP projects for the mining
and industrial sector within the SADEC region. For more information about CRONIMET Mining
Power Solutions please visit our website www.crm-ps.com.
Contact
CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions
Sabrina Steinhauser
Fon: +49 (0) 89-919290170
sabrina.steinhauser@crm-ps.com
www.crm-ps.com
CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions
Daniel Ambros, Technial Manager
Fon: +264 81-5755856
daniel.ambros@crm-ps.com
www.crm-ps.com