11 Sep 2024

With over 3 000 hours of sunshine each year, Botswana is among countries with the highest solar energy potential in the world. Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi said this at the launch of the Shakawe one megawatt plant operation.

Mr Moagi said Botswana was transforming from a fossil-based energy system to a diversified system incorporating solar, wind, battery, gas and coal among others. He noted that the national energy policy and Vision 2036 called for a diversified energy system with renewable energy envisaged to contribute 30 per cent to the energy mix by 2030 and increasing to 50 per cent after 2030.

He said the commercial operation of the Shakawe plant was the second small-scale photovoltaic plant following the Bobonong plant. He added that 12 such plants would be constructed and that it showed commitment to build renewable energy projects.

The minister noted that Shakawe and Bobonong contributed four megawatts and that other plants would be built in various locations including Maun, Kasane, Ghanzi, Lobatse, Molepolole, Serowe, Tutume, Tsabong, Kang and Charles Hill.

He said over 1 000 megawatts of renewable energy comprising more that 600 megawatts of solar power, 200 megawatts of solar, 100 megawatts of wind and over 140 megawatts of battery energy would be availed. Mr Moagi stated that over 50 megawatts of battery energy storage would be created by 2026 with 25 megawatts in Mmadinare and the other 25 coming from Jwaneng, adding that the projects were supported by the World Bank.

He noted that there were many other projects ongoing around the country, citing the procurement of a 200 megawatt solar plant in Maun and a 100-megawatt solar plant in Letlhakane by the end of 2026. Hon Moagi said 40 per cent of the energy mix was set aside for shareholding by citizen owned companies and 100 per cent reserved for small-scale solar grid-tied projects.

He commended Sturdee Energy for completing the Shakawe project, noting that it created 284 temporary jobs during construction and 12 full-time employment at the operation phase. ENDS