Ngodwana Biomass Power Station
Ngodwana Biomass Power Station, also Sappi Ngodwana Biomass Power Station, is a 25 MW (34,000 hp) biomass-fired thermal power plant under development in South Africa. Ngodwana Energy Limited, a South African independent power producer was awarded the concession to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the power station.[1]
Ngodwana Biomass Power Station | |
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Ngodwana Biomass Power Station | |
Country | South Africa |
Location | Ngodwana (Mbombela), Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province |
Coordinates | 25°34′32″S 30°39′53″E |
Status | Under construction |
Commission date | To be determined |
Construction cost | US$89 million |
Owner(s) | Ngodwana Energy Limited |
Thermal power station | |
Primary fuel | Biomass |
Power generation | |
Nameplate capacity | 25 MW (34,000 hp) |
Location
The power plant is under construction in the town of Ngodwana, in Ehlanzeni District, in Mpumalanga Province. Ngodwana is located approximately 44 kilometres (27 mi), by road, southwest of Mbombela, the provincial capital.[2] This is approximately 298 kilometres (185 mi) northeast of Johannesburg, the commercial and financial capital of South Africa.[3] The power station is located adjacent to the Sappi Ngodwana Paper Mill in Mpumalanga, South Africa, about 50 kilometres (31 mi), west of Mbombela.[4]
Overview
In April 2018, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded to a consortium comprising (a) ELB Engineering Services (Pty) Limited (b) KC Cottrell Company Limited and (c) ELB Educational Trust.[4]
The power station will use bio-waste from the adjacent wood and paper mill to boil water and produce steam. The steam will drive turbines of generate electricity. The waste gases from burning wood will be treated to remove pollutants, contaminants and carcinogens, before release into the atmosphere.[4]
The power generated will be evacuated along a high voltage transmission line to a substation where the power will be integrated into the national power grid. The South African state-owned utility company Eskom, will purchase the power under a long-term power purchase agreement. A biomass storage unit will be constructed as part of this project.[1]
Ownership
The table below illustrates the shareholding in Ngodwana Solar Power Station.[5]
Rank | Shareholder | Percentage | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Ngodwana Energy Limited | [5] | |
2 | Fusion Energy Limited | [5] | |
3 | KC Africa | [5] | |
4 | Ngodwana Energy Employees Trust | 5.0 | [5] |
5 | Ngodwana Energy Community Trust | 5.0 | [5] |
Total | 100.00 | ||
Construction costs and timeline
The total cost for the power plant is estimated at US$89 million. Of that, US$66.75 million (75 percent) will be borrowed from Absa Bank Limited and Nedbank Limited. The remaining US$22.25 million (25 percent) will be raised by the power station owners.[1]
In April 2018, it was estimated that construction would take 27 months from start to commercial commissioning.[4]
The start up of the power plant was in March 2022.
References
- Jean Marie Takouleu (10 October 2019). "South Africa: ELB–KCC to build a 25 MW biomass power plant in Mpumalanga". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- Google (1 June 2021). "Road Distance Between Mbombela And Ngodwana in South Africa" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- Google (1 June 2021). "Road Distance Between Johannesburg, South Africa And Ngodwana, South Africa" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ELB Engineering Services (27 April 2018). "EPC contractor appointed for South African biomass project". Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States: Biomass Magazine. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- South Africa Forestry Online (April 2018). "Sappi Southern Africa is set to build a 25MW biomass power plant at its Ngodwana Mill in Mpumalanga". South Africa Forestry Online. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
External links
- Update On 25MWE Biomass Power Plant For Sappi Ngodwana Pulp And Paper Mill As of 12 March 2020.