The Ruacana Hydroelectric station on the Kunene River generates electricity in Namibia of which excess is exported to South Africa. Other power stations on the river are being investigated. In the north, wood is the main source of energy and biomass is the main fuel. Wind power and solar energy can also be harnessed as other energy sources. Two wind measurement stations have been installed at Walvis Bay and Luderitz and a solar measurement station at Noordoewer.
Solar energy is vital in supplying power to distant places.
Generation from within the country has become increasingly difficult as coal import prices have increased and the flow in the Kunene has been variable, making hydro generation unpredictable. The project will enable Namibia to transfer 600 MW of power from South Africa s national grid to its own. ABB has also won a tender for the supply of four thyristor rectifier plants to the mine, believed to be worth R38 million. Angola and Namibia recently signed a bilateral cooperation agreement in the field of energy and are presently considering the development of a hydroelectric facility on the Kunene River. Two sites that have been considered are at Epupa Falls and at the Baynes Mountains, although the Epupa Falls location has met opposition from environmental groups and local communities.