Global Atomic Corp has appointed New York-based Enernet Global to do early engineering work on a hybrid power plant for its proposed US$208 million Dasa uranium project in Niger.
Subject to the outcome of the work and Global Atomic obtaining project finance, Enernet has also been selected to build, own, operate and maintain the proposed power plant at Dasa in west central Niger.
Global Atomic feasibility study estimates indicate its planned mine and plant will need 12 megawatts of “consistent power”. It is looking at a system comprised of 16MW of solar and 15MW battery energy storage, and a 16MW back-up diesel generation plant, to be integrated with the national grid.
It expects 35% of the project’s power will come from renewable energy,
Renewable-power microgrid specialist Enernet has been engaged to complete preliminary design work, equipment selection and configuration of the state-owned Sonichar grid network connection, The work is scheduled to be done by late this year.
Global Atomic late 2021 FS estimates costed Dasa’s surface utility and power lines at US$5.8m.
The FS calculated an after-tax net present value (8% discount rate) of US$157m and IRR of 22.7% using a US$35/lb uranium price for an operation producing 45.4Mlb of uranium over 12 years.
Dasa uranium offtake and project financing discussions are ongoing.