Ngaka power station
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Ngaka power station is a cancelled power station in Ruvuma, Tanzania.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Ngaka power station | Ruvuma, Tanzania | -11.0, 36.0 (approximate) |
The map below shows the approximate location of the power station.
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | cancelled | coal: unknown | 135 | unknown |
| Unit 2 | cancelled | coal: unknown | 135 | unknown |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Unnamed special purpose vehicle [100%] | Unnamed special purpose vehicle [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Unnamed special purpose vehicle [100%] | Unnamed special purpose vehicle [100.0%] |
Project-level coal details
- Coal source(s): Tancoal mine
Financing
- Source of financing: Sinohydro
Background
In August 2011, Australia's Intra Energy Corporation (IEC) said it planned to invest US$236 million in Tanzania's first privately funded coal mine and a coal-fired power plant. At the time, IEC's local unit in east Africa, Tancoal Energy, had spent US$23 million on exploration and initial development costs of the Mbalawala coal mine, in the south-west of Tanzania. Plans included a 120 MW power station at Mbalawala.[1]
In March 2012, IEC signed an MoU with Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) for the development of a 120 MW to 200 MW power station with the Tancoal coal mine as the coal supplier. Construction was originally planned to begin in 2014. The MoU was extended in March 2013 and changed to a 200 MW power station.[2]
In a 2013 investor presentation, Intra Energy said 200 MW of the power station was in design and sited near the Tancoal mine, and planned for operation in 2017. The company said it was in discussion with Tanzania for an additional 120 MW power station in the north of the country.[2] As of 2014, IEC described the power station on its website as stage 2 of its Ngaka coal project. Plans included a 200 MW coal-fired power station sited adjacent to the Tancoal mine, and a second power station of 120 MW proposed near the Malcoal mine in the country of Malawi.[3]
In March 2015, the Tanzania Minister for Energy and Minerals said plans were underway to construct a 600 MW coal plant to generate electricity from Ngaka Coal in Mbinga in phases, with the first 200 MW to be generated by 2019. The tender for the project was expected to be floated in June 2015, and IEC's Tancoal was invited to bid on the project.[4] In June 2015, the Energy Minister said potential investors had quoted expensive tariffs that were deemed inviable for the project. Operation was still planned for 2019.[5]
In November 2015, IEC signed an MoU with Sinohydro for a 200 MW coal plant at Ngaka, with the potential to increase it to 400 MW over time.[6]
In October 2016, Intra Energy signed an MoU with Sinohydro to develop a 2 x 135 MW coal plant at Ngaka. The two companies would form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Under the agreement, Sinohydro was the major project shareholder of the SPV and would conceive, build, finance, and operate the plant. Tancoal Energy would provide coal, estimated at 1.2 million tonnes per year at its mine located 7 km from the plant.[7]
In August 2017, talks recommenced with SinoHydro regarding the letter from the Minister of Energy and Minerals to move ahead on the Ngaka Power Station project. It was agreed to renew the MOU and establish a joint venture vehicle once equities were established.[8]
In October 2018, Intra Energy said the company planned to submit Request for Qualification documents for the project to the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO), in line with the government’s new initiative regarding the development of independent power projects.[9]
In its half year results for December 2019, Intra Energy said, “IEC continues to investigate partnership arrangements for the development of a mine-mouth power station, however, the government has not given an approval for a coal-fired power station for southern Tanzania at this stage.”[10]
As of December 2021, there were no records of Intra Energy having submitted new Request for Qualification documents or receiving any government approvals. The project appeared to be shelved.
IEC disposal to Mirambo Mining Limited
In IEC's September 2021 annual report to shareholders, the Chairman's statement noted: "Thermal coal as a fuel is becoming increasingly unpopular in the world and the ability to return anything to shareholders has become impossible in Tanzania due to declining markets, increased competition and Government imposts considered by the Company to be arbitrary and unfair."[11]
A November 25, 2021 press release announced IEC had reached an agreement to transfer ownership of Intra Energy Tanzania Limited (“IETL”), which held the Company’s Tanzanian Coal interests, to Mirambo Mining Limited (“MML”), a Tanzanian company. The press release explained that "[a]s the Company exits the production of fossil fuels in Africa, it will now concentrate on base and precious metal opportunities in Australia, with a particular focus on the new energy metals." Mirambo Mining advised they would give the Government of Tanzania the opportunity to match the terms of the sale and purchase agreement under similar conditions should they so desire.[12]
Shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favor of the sale in February 2022.[13]
In their March 2023 Quarterly Activities Report, IEC confirmed their exit from fossil fuels with the final sale of their coal assets to a purchaser in Tanzania.[14]
As of December 2023, there had been no apparent developments on the power station project and it appeared to be cancelled.
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ "Australian firm to invest $116m in Tanzania coal," Reuters, August 24, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Mbalawala Thermal Coal Project - Intra Energy," Investor presentation, March 18, 2013
- ↑ "Ngaka Thermal Coal Project" Intra Energy, accessed March 14, 2014
- ↑ "Tanzania: Mbinga to Generate Electricity From Coal," All Africa.com, March 15, 2015
- ↑ "High investor tariffs stall Ngaka electricity plant," Daily News, June 17, 2015
- ↑ "IEC signs MoU with Sinohydro," IEC, November 30, 2015
- ↑ "IEC, Sinohydro signs deal to develop Ngaka coal-fired power station," Daily News, October 27, 2016
- ↑ "Intra Energy to export coal outside of Tanzanian client base," Mining Review, August 18, 2017
- ↑ "IEC September 2018 update," Intra Energy, October 11, 2018
- ↑ "Tancoal seeking govt approval to invest in coal fired power station," The Guardian, April 13, 2020
- ↑ "Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2021," IEC, September 30, 2021
- ↑ "Agreement to Sell Tanzania Coal Interests for US$2.0 million," IEC, November 25, 2021
- ↑ "Quarterly Activities Report, March 2022," IEC, March 2022
- ↑ “Quarterly Activities Report March 2023,” Intra Energy, April 28, 2023
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
