The Botswana government plans to build 4 new solar and thermal power plants in the next six years. As of now, the country’s national demand is 600 megawatts, but the frequent failures of one of its main power stations, Morupule B power plant, make the country rely on imported electricity and diesel generators to make up for the shortage.

Confirm implementation of solar and thermal power plant plans

Mr. Lefko Moage, Minister of Energy of Botswana, explained that the government will start a tender in early 2021 to build a 200-megawatt solar power plant, which will be completed in 2026. He also said that the construction of a 10-megawatt coal-fired power plant will also start in 2021 and will be completed in 2025.

According to the 20-year resource plan approved in August, a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power station is also being purchased, which will go online in 2022, while a 300-MW coal-fired power station is expected to be put into operation in 2026.

Include private investors in the power diversification plan

The governments of southern African countries hope to attract some private investors in various stages of establishing coal, natural gas and solar power projects, while retaining the privileged power distribution of the state-owned Botswana Electric Power Company.

In June 2020, it issued licenses to three private companies to generate a total of approximately 827 megawatts of its own electricity, most of which are planned to be exported to neighboring countries.Editor/Huang Lijun