Ruacana Hydropower Station Unit 3, Namibia

Zutari was appointed to investigate and resolve a high-vibration fault at Unit 3 of Namibia’s most critical hydropower installation.

Client

Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower)

Project date

2011-2014

Ruacana Hydropower Station is NamPower’s most significant power generation facility, with an installed capacity exceeding 240 MW. It plays a vital role in Namibia’s energy supply, making the reliability of its units essential to national infrastructure.

The opportunity

NamPower experienced unusually high vibration levels at Unit 3, raising concerns about the operational safety and longevity of the turbine. The fault threatened the performance of the station and required urgent technical investigation to prevent further damage and restore optimal functionality.

What we did

Zutari was appointed to provide technical assistance and conduct a root cause analysis of the fault. Our investigation traced the problem to the failure of one of the turbine wearing rings. This component plays a critical role in maintaining turbine alignment and minimising vibration during operation.

Our team:

Conducted detailed inspections and vibration analysis

Identified the wearing ring failure as the root cause

Provided recommendations for repair and future monitoring

Supported NamPower in implementing corrective measures to restore safe operation

Unit 3 at Ruacana Hydropower Station, where Zutari identified and resolved a critical vibration fault.

The outcome

Zutari’s intervention helped NamPower quickly identify and address the fault, restoring Unit 3 to safe operational status. The investigation reinforced the importance of proactive maintenance and precision engineering in hydropower operations.

The Ruacana Unit 3 investigation highlights Zutari’s expertise in hydropower diagnostics and infrastructure resilience. Our work ensures that critical energy assets continue to operate safely and efficiently, supporting national development.

“Zutari’s technical insight was instrumental in resolving a fault that could have compromised our most vital power station.”

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Ruacana Hydropower Station Unit 3, Namibia

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Project date

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What we did

The outcome

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Ruacana Hydropower Station Unit 3, Namibia

Client

Project date

The opportunity

What we did

The outcome

NamPower Representative

Related projects

Jiji and Mulembwe Hydropower Projects, Burundi

Polihali Transfer Tunnel, Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II

Securing water and wildlife: A sustainable future for Barrydale, South Africa

United Nations (UN) Climate Change and Risk Assessment, Angola

Want to see more?

Want to see more?

Want to
see more?

Want to
see more?