Title:
240305002935: Environmental Assessment for the proposed construction and operation of a Renewable Solar Energy Facility and Battery Energy Storage System in the Erongo Region
Publication Year:
2024
Abstract:

Namibia is regarded as a net exporter of electricity, local electricity generation is derived from hydropower, coal and diesel burning power stations; however, this is not enough to meet local demand necessitating the country to source the balance, amounting to more than 60%, from other countries within the Southern African region such as Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique; of which South Africa’s contribution is dominant at 53%. Despite the current situation, the energy consumption in Namibia follows an upward trajectory because of the unavoidable dependency of national development on the availability, supply, demand and use of energy. Namibia will thus have to develop, as a matter of urgency, its own capacity to generate electricity. Renewable energy sources offer numerous advantages over fossil fuels, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and reduced dependence on finite resources. Solar energy, in particular, has experienced rapid growth due to falling costs and technological advancements in photovoltaic systems. Despite these benefits, one of the main challenges of renewable energy sources is their intermittency and variability. Solar power generation is dependent on weather conditions, meaning that electricity production may not align with demand. This variability can strain the electricity grid and require backup power from fossil fuel plants, undermining the environmental benefits of renewable energy. Battery energy storage systems have emerged as a solution to this challenge, enabling the storage of excess energy generated during periods of high production for use when demand is high or production is low. Battery energy storage systems offer several key benefits for the integration of renewable energy into the grid. They help smooth out fluctuations in energy generation, improve grid stability, and enhance the reliability of renewable energy sources. By storing excess energy when production exceeds demand and discharging stored energy when needed, battery storage systems can optimize the use of renewable energy and reduce the need for backup power from fossil fuel plants. This flexibility is essential for maximizing the value of renewable energy sources and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future. MBA Management Solutions (the proponent) is focused on becoming a major player in the green renewable energy generation, production and trading space. They intend to generate renewable energy from solar incorporating battery energy storage syatems, in the Trekkopje area of the Erongo Region to be known as Gaingu Green Energy Industrial Park. The electricity generated will be fed to the national grid for consumption by the industrial loads and/or export to the neighbouring countries.

Item Type:
Report
Language:
en
Last date for commenting on this EIA: Friday, 16 August 2024

This EIA Report is/was listed currently or previously for Public Comment on the Department of Environmental Affairs ECC Portal http://eia.met.gov.na. You can search the eLibrary for all EIA reports for public comment here, track the progress of EIAs in Namibia using the EIA Tracker website on https://eia-tracker.org.na and you can learn more about the EIA process in Namibia here.