Newsdeck

Botswana flicks the power switch

Botswana Aims to Build Its Biggest Renewable Power Plant Yet

Solar panels stand above a parking lot at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, U.S., on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Solar installations in the first quarter increased 33 percent to account for almost half of all new electric capacity installed in the U.S., according to a trade-group report. Photographer: Laura Segall/Bloomberg
By Bloomberg
08 Feb 2022
0

(Bloomberg) -- Botswana said its seeking companies to build and operate a 200 megawatt concentrated solar power plant, its biggest clean energy project to date.

By Mbongeni Mguni

Word Count: 189
In an announcement on Tuesday, the Energy Ministry issued an invitation for companies to pre-qualify for the program, which would involve financing its construction and completing the project by 2027. The state-owned Botswana Power Corporation will buy the electricity produced.The planned plant is part of the country’s Integrated Resource Plan under which 795 megawatts of new generation capacity will be procured or built by the government in the years to 2040. At least 61% of the new projects will be renewable, including solar and wind plants, according to the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority.

More Expensive

Currently just 6% of the country’s 600 megawatts of peak electricity demand is supplied by renewable sources. The government has pledged to raise this to 36% by 2036. With much of the country covered by desert, Botswana is suitable for solar projects.

Concentrated solar power projects use lenses or mirrors to focus a large area of sunlight onto a receiver. It is a more expensive technology than photovoltaic solar power.

(Updates with climate in second last paragraph)
Gallery

Comments - Please in order to comment.

TOP READS IN SECTION

I have a picture for you! 13 April- 19 April 2024
Newsdeck

I have a picture for you! 13 April- 19 April 2024
I have a picture for you! 20 April- 26 April 2024
Newsletters

I have a picture for you! 20 April- 26 April 2024
Billionaire Geiger Is Said to Near $7 Billion L’Occitane Buyout
Newsdeck

Billionaire Geiger Is Said to Near $7 Billion L’Occitane Buyout
South Africa Assets Soar on Growing Odds of Stable Coalition
Newsdeck

South Africa Assets Soar on Growing Odds of Stable Coalition
South America weather experts see La Nina, El Nino frequency rising
Newsdeck

South America weather experts see La Nina, El Nino frequency rising

Investigations

News & Analysis

Features

Newsletters

Community

DM168

Daily Maverick © All rights reserved

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

Daily Maverick needs your support

We're not asking you to pay for every article you read. We're asking you to support us so that we can keep doing what South Africa needs us to do. Without the support of our readers, we won't be able to keep going.

If you really can't afford the price of an extra cup of coffee a week, then know this: we will never force you to pay. We'e got your back and one day, you'll have ours.

SUPPORT DAILY MAVERICK
Become a Maverick Insider

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options
Daily Maverick Elections Toolbox

Feeling powerless in politics?

Equip yourself with the tools you need for an informed decision this election. Get the Elections Toolbox with shareable party manifesto guide.