Page 27 - ISSUE 29

News. 27

Nchena Mothebe said the signing of the
three (3) Power Purchase Agreements These are Kazungula Bridge
(PPAs) between Botswana Power exciting times
Corporation (BPC) and Akuo Energy is in Pictures
a noteworthy milestone in the drive to for BPC, and
transition to a sustainable energy mix.
we couldn’t be
“It is worth noting that Government readier to play
is continuously optimizing the policy
environment to create a conducive a pivotal role
environment and opportunities for
private sector and citizen participation. of off-taking
Government through the National
Energy Policy (NEP), intents to guide power from
the management and development
of Botswana’s energy sector for the Independent
period from 2020 to 2040, especially Power Producers
the penetration of new and renewable
energy sources and to attain energy self-
sufficiency as well as increased energy “The implementation of the IRP has
security.” commenced with the ongoing solar
PV projects with a combined capacity
“These PPAs between BPC and Akuo of 135MW. 50% of which have already
Energy, showcase the Government’s been procured including the Maun,
Policy commitment to support and Lobatse and Ghanzi which the PPAs
facilitate initiatives that increase the are being signed. The remainder are
development of the on-grid and off-grid undergoing procurement. Commercial
solar aimed to increase the contribution operation of the projects will commence
of solar energy to the total energy in the current year (2022) and the
supply mix,” said Mothebe. 135MW capacity should be on the grid
by mid-2024. Other projects include the
He also said government in pursuit envisaged 300MW Coal, 10MW CBM,
of creating a conducive and efficient 200MW CSP, 50MW wind projects and
regulatory framework, established an the 100MW Solar PV as identified in the
independent regulatory authority in IRP,” Mothebe said.
2017, Botswana Energy Regulatory
Authority (BERA). The latest PPA comes at a time when
Botswana is yet to fully rely on locally
“Since its inception, we are witnessing generated electricity. In 2017, the power
substantial private sector interest in utility firm revealed that it was constantly
the electricity supply industry which upgrading its power generation plants
can be attributed to private sector to ensure they operate efficiently and
confidence in the regulatory framework sustainably. BPC’s main power station
and environment. The Authority has the – Morupule B have been undergoing
to date issued 3 licenses for exporting remedial works. The troubled plant
IPPs (ERNC, Sese and Coal 4 Petroleum), has been fraught with problems since
3 licenses for local generation (Tlou inception despite the fact that it was
Energy, Sturdee Botswana for Shakawe supposed to be an answer to Botswana’s
and Bobonong plants) and has approved chronic power shortages.
3 PPAs for IPPs for local generation. Source - sunday standard
This signals a progressive regulatory
environment.”