Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has entered power purchase agreements (PPA) with South Africa headquartered Sub-Saharan focused independent power producer (IPP) Sturdee Energy, for 2 solar power plants. Sturdee Energy said these PPAs are for the country's 1st 2 renewable energy IPP projects.
Sturdee Energy won the projects in 2019 and it expects to invest $5.5 million to construct and complete the facilities. Of the 2 projects, 3 MW AC capacity will be located in Bobonong and 1 MW AC in Shakawe region. Under the agreements, Sturdee Energy will supply power from these facilities to BPC for 25 years. In the initial year of their operation, the projects are expected to produce more than 10,000 MWh.
BPC's CEO David Kgoboko said the 2 solar PV projects mark the beginning of the rollout of 12 grid tied solar PV projects scheduled for completion by end of 2022. "When realized, these projects will contribute a total of 35 MW of clean energy to our grid," he added. The facilities will generate low-cost energy for the denizens and also diversify the energy mix towards ensuring energy security for the country.
Along with these small-scale projects, Botswana is now attracting private investment for bigger facilities as well. In July 2021, Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority cleared way for coal miner Shumba Energy Limited to build 100 MW PV project as the country's '1st' large scale solar plant (see 100 MW Solar Power Project Approved In Botswana).
In April 2021, Sturdee Energy and Globeleq achieved preferred bidder status for 2 x 15 MW AC solar power projects in Eswatini (see Eswatini Selects Bidders For 45 MW Solar Capacity).
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