BOTSWANA – The government of Botswana is planning to construct 4 new solar and thermal power plants in the next six years.

These four new facilities will bring a new energy mix with a combined capacity of 610 MW to the Southern African country and forms part of the government’s energy policy and will enable Botswana to fully satisfy its demand for electricity while at the same time diversifying its sources of production.

Currently , the country has a national power demand of 600 MW but recurring breakdowns at one of its main power stations of Morupule B plant has left the country dependent on imported power and diesel generators to cover the shortfalls.

The country’s Minister of Energy Mr. Lefoko Moagi has explained that the government will float tenders at the beginning of next year for the construction of a 200 MW solar power plant which should be completed by 2026.

He further revealed that the construction of a 10 MW coal-fired power station will also be launched during the same year and will be completed in 2025.

“Under a 20-year resource plan approved in August, procurement is also underway for a 100 MW solar photovoltaic plant that will come online in 2022 and a 300 MW coal plant expected to be operational by 2026” he added.

Similarly, the government of the Southern Africa country is also looking to incorporate a number of private investors at various stages of setting up coal, gas, and solar power projects, while retaining the power distribution prerogative to the state-owned Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

In June, it gave out licenses to three private companies to generate a total of about 827 MW of their own electricity, most of which is planned to be exported to the neighbouring countries.

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