Botswana Power Corporation Awards Scatec First Large-Scale Solar Plant Contract

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has awarded the contract to build a solar power plant to Norwegian Independent power producer Scatec ASA. The state-owned power company has signed a binding 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the construction of a solar PV facility.

The 50 MW solar plant will be developed in Selebi-Phikwe town located in the Central district. The plant will reach commercial operation by mid-2024. Scatec will also serve as EPC contractor, asset manager, and operations & maintenance contractor of the solar plant.

The solar PV plant will be able to supply power to about 20,000 households in the region and is expected to help in the reduction of 48,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, annually. Scatec highlighted the solar plant as a significant development in the clean energy sector for Botswana and for the energy transition in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Scatec’s sub-Saharan Africa GM, Jan Fourie, commented, “We are proud to have reached this milestone with the BPC – demonstrating our ability to support and deliver clean energy and infrastructure to sub-Saharan Africa. It is also a significant achievement for the people of Botswana.” 

BPC’s CEO David Kgoboko said the plant in Selebi-Phikwe will be the power company’s first and largest utility-scale grid-connected PV plant. He also announced the procurement of another large-scale solar power plant was underway.

Last month, impact investor responsAbility Investments has announced long-term debt financing to build two solar PV plants in Botswana. The projects will be developed in Bobonong, Central District (3 MW), and Shakawe, North-West District (1 MW). But, the country currently does not have any large-scale solar power plant, and its 600 MW national energy demand is majorly met by coal-fired power plants.

The future 50 MW solar power plant will boost power supplies and increase clean energy shares in Botswana. Renewable energy will account for 15% of the country’s energy share by 2030 while its ‘Vision 2036’ plan calls for a 50% clean energy allocation by 2036.