Page 20 - issue 28 2020

20 News

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this is fertile ground for Botswana’s
competitive strategy and alternative Private players set to
route outside the seasonal diamond
sparkle. boost Botswana’s power

BTC Managing Director, Anthony generation capacity in
Masunga has been quoted recently
saying “Our inventions in the last
generation and over the last decade energy sector
have driven unique solutions for our
clientele both retail and corporate.
Across hostile terrains our network
remains the able anchor and enabler for by : Farai Nhende
all. Our offerings are tailored for every
Motswana, wherever they may be. Our otswana is set to rope in new powerhouse in the region in terms of
purpose and cause is to provide services Independent Power Producers power generation.
to all regardless of geography, creed, B(IPPs) into its energy sector Meanwhile the Botswana minerals and
gender and traditions. in a move that is likely to break energy ministry has also announced that
the monopoly of the state owned these initiatives are part of a broader
Our brand shines bright and green in all Botswana Power Corporation (BPC). plan aimed at ensuring that at least 600
corners of our republic not just major This follows the licencing of three MW worth of solar and coal generated
towns and cities. As we celebrate BTC’s Independent Power Producers by the power is added to the national power
40 years in the market, we look to a new Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority grid within the coming six years.
chapter which will carry the aspirations (BERA) earlier this year. Additionally, the Ministry also
of our republic. As we strive to push The three new players in the energy highlighted that government had
towards a high-income economy, we sector are; Energy and Natural approved it’s twenty year resource
hope to see BTC play a significant role Resources Corporation, Sese Power plan, which among other things aimed
in enabling 4IR and what is to come for and Tlou Energy. to facilitate the procurement for an
businesses and all citizens. We provide Prior to the introduction of these three additional 200 MW solar plant whose
a strategic canvass for propelling our Independent Power Producers, BPC construction would commence in 2021
nation forward.” had been the sole player within the while targeting it’s completion by 2026.
power generation industry since the This will also be complemented by a 10
An export expert Nkosi Mwaba of time of its inception in 1970. However, MW coal-bed methane extraction plant
Ninenteen21 notes, “The innovation it has been failing to cope with is expected to be operational by the
Hub, BIUST, BTC and other think tanks demand on account of varying factors, year 2025.
should be able to drive and propel the chief among which includes the ageing
next chapter of the republic. We house infrastructure it’s main power stations Botswana sits on huge coal deposits
enough expertise to drive new revenues which is constantly breaking down. estimated at a staggering 200 plus billion
for the country not just by creating new Projections are that the three IPPs tonnes which resources have not been
features, attributes and benefits for the alone will add at least 825MW to the adequately tapped into or exploited
local and regional consumer but the national power grid. This is over and for purposes of power generation,
whole world. above the power currently generated making the power production a highly
by the Botswana Power Corporation. lucrative industry with enormous
Companies that are worth more than Botswana’s domestic consumption is economic potential. This, coupled
trillions of US dollars today are on currently pegged at 600MW, meaning with the country’s conducive solar
digital platforms for good reason. that if these players come on board harvesting environment gives the
We have a local company which has Botswana will be generating a surplus energy production sector a competitive
invested millions on infrastructure far in excess of its own domestic edge. The introduction of Independent
development. Where are the young consumption needs. Power Producers could not have been
digital masterminds? They can capitalise This will effectively wean the country more timely.
on the current resources for the next from importation of electricity. The
Silicon Valley.” country will also become a significant