Botswana Awards $78.3M Solar Deal to Chinese Group

Aug 13, 2024 05:54 PM ET

• Botswana’s $78.3 million solar plant contract with China aims to meet 50% of energy demand with clean power by 2036, reducing reliance on coal.

Botswana has awarded a $78.3 million contract to a Chinese group led by China Harbour Engineering Co. to build a 100-megawatt solar plant, with the goal of meeting 50% of the country’s energy demand with clean energy by 2036. The project is set to be completed by the second quarter of 2026 and is the second utility-scale renewables facility in Botswana.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi attended the contract signing in Jwaneng, a diamond mining town west of the capital, Gaborone. Botswana, known for its high levels of sunshine, currently relies heavily on coal for electricity production, with renewable energy accounting for only 2% of generation. The government is also working on additional renewable energy projects, including a 200-megawatt concentrated solar-thermal power plant and two 50-megawatt battery-storage systems in collaboration with the World Bank.

What is Botswana’s plan to increase renewable energy production by 2036?

• Botswana aims to increase renewable energy production to meet 50% of the country’s energy demand by 2036.
• The government has awarded a $78.3 million contract to a Chinese group led by China Harbour Engineering Co. to build a 100-megawatt solar plant.
• The project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026.
• President Mokgweetsi Masisi attended the contract signing in Jwaneng, Botswana.
• Botswana currently relies heavily on coal for electricity production, with renewable energy accounting for only 2% of generation.
• In addition to the 100-megawatt solar plant, the government is working on other renewable energy projects, including a 200-megawatt concentrated solar-thermal power plant and two 50-megawatt battery-storage systems in collaboration with the World Bank.