The Botswana Power Corporation has signed an agreement with Scatec to create a 50 MW solar power plant as part of the country’s shift to green power.
Scatec of Norway and The Botswana Power Corporation, Botswana’s state-owned power provider, have signed a binding 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the construction of a solar PV facility with a contracted capacity of 50 MW at Selebi Phikwe. Scatec owns 100% of the project and will be the designated Engineering, Procurement and Construction company (EPC), asset manager and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contractor.
Green ambitions
“The plant is our first and largest utility-scale grid connected solar PV plant. We expect the project to be operational by June 2024,” The Botswana Power Corporation CEO David Kgoboko said.
This is a significant development for Botswana and for green energy transition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Botswana is rich in natural resources and has vast solar energy potential, receiving over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year.
Even though Botswana is home to 66% of Africa’s coal resources, it is undertaking an ambitious renewable energy drive. Renewables are expected to account for 15% of Botswana’s energy mix by 2030, with the country’s Vision 2036 calling for 50% renewable energy allocation by 2036.
“We are proud to have reached this milestone with The Botswana Power Corporation – demonstrating our ability to support and deliver clean energy and infrastructure to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also a significant achievement for the people of Botswana,” said Jan Fourie, General Manager of Sub-Saharan Africa, Scatec.
Scatec
Scatec will construct the solar facility in Selibe Phikwe, a former mining town in the eastern part of the country. The power plant will ensure that about 48,000 tons of CO2 emissions will be avoided and provide electricity to about 20,000 households a year.
Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in high growth markets. As a long-term player, it develops, builds, owns and operates renewable energy plants, with 4.6 GW in operation and under construction across four continents today.
The Botswana Power Corporation
The Botswana Power Corporation is a national energy company responsible for the country’s generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity. It is 100% owned by the Government of Botswana. The company also contributes to the Southern African Power Pool, a collection of 12 states that share a common grid and market.
Spending on green power projects is increasing across Africa, with Egypt’s energy sector in particular seeing large projects.