Public meetings on proposed coal power station
State run utility, NamPower will this month host an extensive public participation programme in order to discuss and engage members of the public on the proposed Erongo Coal Power Station.
The meetings, which form part of procedures of the project Environmental Socio Economic Impact Assessment study are scheduled to take place from 18 to 21 January 2012.
Members of the public are encouraged to give their input.
The full Draft Scoping Report for the proposed coal-fired power station has been available for review since 13 December 2011. on NamPower’s website.
The documents are also available for download from the Aurecon and NamPower websites as well as at NamPower Control Building in Windhoek, Swakopmund Public Library, Walvis Bay Public Library and the Rössing Foundation Library.
“Public participation is an important part of the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment process, as it allows the public to get information about the proposed project, to view documentation, to make input and voice any concerns,” reads the non-technical assessment draft.
Stakeholder meetings will also be held to present the findings of the Draft Scoping Report to specific identified interest groups where representatives of specific groups have been invited to attend.
An open day and a public meeting will be hosted and are both open to the general public.
On Wednesday, 18 January 2012, the public meeting will take place at NamPower Convention Centre in Windhoek. While on Saturday, 21 January 2012, it will be held at the Rössing Foundation Hall in Arandis.
The development of the Erongo coal power station stems from the increase in power demand of the Central Namib due to development growth, which has required the investigation into the feasibility of a coal-fired power station in the Erongo Region.
The coal-fired power station is proposed in the Erongo region with an initial capacity of 150MW to 300MW.
The capacity could increase to up to 800MW, depending on NamPower’s future energy requirements and the future capacity of the coal import facilities.
