100 MW Botswana Solar Tender Cancelled

• Botswana Power Corporation has decided to cancel its May 2017 launched solar power tender for 100 MW capacity
• According to original tender conditions, the project was to be established through a joint venture between the utility and independent power producers
• The utility now wants the project to be completely implemented by independent power producers
• Revised tender is likely to be issued by the end of June 2019, according to a Reuters report

Botswana's electricity utility Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has decided to cancel its 100 MW solar power tender, with a promise to reissue a revised version by the end of June 2019, reported Reuters referring to a statement issued by the utility.

The reason behind the step is that BPC wants the project to be 100% private owned. Previously BPC planned the project to be a joint venture between itself and private producers. In its new avatar, the project should be implemented through independent power producers.

BPC had received 166 bids from local and international power producers in the expression of interest round of the tender that was launched in May 2017. The EoI included storage capacity as well. The Reuters report does not specify if the utility plans to have a storage component in the revised tender as well.

In November 2018, BPC was soliciting proposals for 12 solar power projects with the last date of submission being March 29, 2019 (see Botswana Solar Tender For 12 Projects).

In May 2019, Tlou Energy Limited, a coal bed methane (CBM) power company in Botswana secured an environmental impact assessment approval for its 20 MW CBM power generation project which will also have a solar farm of up to 20 MW capacity (see 20 MW Solar Farm Approved For Botswana).