Namibia wind farm uses a crane-free “sky elevator” to assemble seven turbines even in stronger winds

Namibia is streamlining wind power capacity growth using a specialized crane-free construction approach.

The African nation is working toward energy sovereignty to cut its long-standing reliance on electricity imports.

To achieve this, the country is tapping into its world-class solar and wind resources along the Atlantic coast.

While hydropower plays a vital role in boosting local production, seasonal rainfall and drought periods lead to major output fluctuations.

However, the location’s remoteness presents significant installation logistics, requiring innovative approaches.

What method will help Namibia harness coastal resources to secure clean, local power?

How a resource-rich nation has a historically low power resilience

Namibia is a vast desert country and is the second least densely populated nation in the world.

Despite this, the nation has been experiencing a rise in electricity consumption, with demand growing roughly by 5% annually.

It has a long-standing reliance on power imports from its neighboring southern countries.

South Africa and Zimbabwe have been vital in bridging Namibia’s persistent domestic supply deficit.

Currently, between 50% and 65% of its total domestic power supply is imported.

The national power utility, NamPower, buys electricity, primarily sourcing fossil-fuel generation.

While hydropower plays a vital role in boosting local production, seasonal rainfall and drought periods lead to major output fluctuations.

Neighboring grids also often enforce load-shedding, causing immediate, severe power supply deficits across Namibia.

Furthermore, import dependency creates volatile import tariffs and threatens long-term economic growth.

To address this historic reliance, domestic renewable energy generation must drastically increase.

Wind power, in particular, is key to unlocking true energy independence.

Raising energy security and meeting national clean power goals

Africa’s power landscape is being reshaped by going off the grid.

To become self-sufficient, wind power has become central to Namibia’s plan.

The country’s National Renewable Energy Policy mandates generating 70% of its electricity from local renewable sources by 2030.

Furthermore, the government is targeting 80% national energy autonomy while meeting the Paris Agreement objectives.

Fortunately, the Atlantic offers coastal wind resources with high, consistent capacity factors.

By scaling up coastal renewable projects, these targets can be supported while the economy is shielded from rising import costs.

However, it is one of the windiest remote deserts in the world, so building large-scale wind farms is complex. 

Traditional turbine construction usually relies on giant, heavy cranes.

But transporting these cranes is logistically challenging and expensive.

They also cannot operate safely during strong gusts, causing frequent, costly delays.

That is why Nabrawind designed an innovative alternative method for extreme, remote conditions.

 

Constructing the Diaz wind farm using Skylift

Nabrawind’s crane-free construction method is being deployed at the InnoVent Diaz wind farm.

The project is near Lüderitz, Namibia, and features seven Goldwind direct-drive turbines.

The turbines have 328-foot hub heights and rated capacities of 6 MW each.

To assemble them in extreme conditions, the Skylift system is used, eliminating the need for conventional heavy-tonnage cranes.

The self-contained sky elevator installation tool

The system integrates two exclusive technologies:

• A Total Self-Erecting System (Total SES)
• The BladeRunner

Total SES utilizes ground-based hydraulic jacks to lift the lowest tower segments and nacelles.

A hydraulic system elevates the structures, enabling installation of subsequent tubular tower sections at 100 to 130 feet.

A handling tool and counterweight secure two blades at a 30-degree angle, keeping the direct-drive rotor balanced.

The BladeRunner tool then climbs up the tower structure to install the third blade directly into the hub.

 

This enables installation at speeds up to 33.5 mph with gusts up to 44.7 mph.

This method enables a net installation rate of one 6-MW turbine per week. This is regardless of the volatile Namibian desert winds.

Upon completion, the Diaz project will generate 230 GWh of clean electricity annually. The facility will supply 6% of the country’s total power demand.

Ultimately, this crane-less setup is the first step in streamlining the logistical challenges of turbine deployment.