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Ngodwana Biomass Power Station

Coordinates: 25°34′32″S 30°39′53″E / 25.57556°S 30.66472°E / -25.57556; 30.66472
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Ngodwana Biomass Power Station
Map
Ngodwana Biomass Power Station
CountrySouth Africa
LocationNgodwana (Mbombela), Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province
Coordinates25°34′32″S 30°39′53″E / 25.57556°S 30.66472°E / -25.57556; 30.66472
StatusUnder construction
Commission dateTo be determined
Construction costUS$89 million
OwnerNgodwana Energy Limited
Thermal power station
Primary fuelBiomass
Power generation
Nameplate capacity25 MW (34,000 hp)

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]

Location

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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

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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

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The table below illustrates the shareholding in Ngodwana Solar Power Station.[5]

Ownership of Ngodwana Solar Power Station
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

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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.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c 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.
  2. ^ "Road Distance Between Mbombela And Ngodwana in South Africa" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Road Distance Between Johannesburg, South Africa And Ngodwana, South Africa" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d 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.
  5. ^ a b c d e f 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.
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