Botswana Photovoltaic Energy Storage Procurement

Will a 100 MW solar plant be built in Botswana?

State-owned Botswana Power Corp. has signed a power purchase agreement with a consortium of Chinese enterprises and other companies to construct a 100 MW solar plant in southern Botswana. The project is expected to start generation by the end of 2025.

How much PV capacity will Botswana build by 2040?

In total, the government has approved the construction of 1.5 GW of new capacity by 2040, starting with 135 MW of PV capacity by 2022. Under the plan, Botswana will build up to 800 MW of new PV capacity, 200 MW of CSP, 50 MW of wind, 140 GW of battery storage, as well as 300 MW of coal-fired and 250 MW of coal bed methane (CBM) capacity.

What is Botswana's solar potential?

Botswana hosts vast swathes of low-cost land that records direct normal irradiance (DNI) of over 2,200 kWh per year, similar to solar levels seen in Morocco, an early mover in CSP deployment. It is a land-locked sub-Saharan country bordering South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

How long will Botswana Power Plant last?

The deal involves an engineering, procurement and construction contract, with operation and maintenance of the power plant for 25 years. The facility is expected to start generation by the end of 2025. Botswana ’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the project is a key milestone in the country's energy transition.

Could Botswana and Namibia's giant solar expansion plan work?

In 2019, the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Energy proposed a giant solar expansion plan in Botswana and neighbouring Namibia that could provide over 4.5 GW of PV and CSP power to customers in southern and eastern Africa.

When will Botswana start generating electricity?

The facility is expected to start generation by the end of 2025. Botswana ’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the project is a key milestone in the country's energy transition. “Our journey toward energy security and transition has begun in earnest and is unstoppable.