- The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has awarded a tender to a consortium led by Botala Energy Ltd.
- This initiative aligns with Botala’s strategy of establishing a local commercial footprint in gas projects and renewables.
The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has awarded a tender to a consortium led by Botala Energy Ltd, a 4MW solar power plant in Serowe, Botswana.
Botala Energy Ltd focuses on exploring and developing coal bed methane (CBM) and renewable energy projects in Botswana. The company is committed to developing a sustainable and diversified energy portfolio, which includes its flagship Serowe CBM Project.
Also, this project, part of Botala’s Serowe Energy Hub, will spearhead the gas explorer’s expansion into renewable energy. The Serowe Solar Consortium, led by Botala with a 49 per cent ownership stake, will construct and operate the facility.
Other consortium members include the Ngwato Development Trust, Base Agencies and OCEF Engineering Botswana.
However, to boost the project’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials, Botala has pledged to allocate 1 per cent of the project’s revenue to social and community programs in Serowe.
The 4MW project, Project Phuthi, includes a binding Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with BPC, which ensures strong project economics through a 25-year term linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The solar power plant will be connected to the national power grid 4.2 kilometres from BPC’s 66/11kV substation, which will facilitate access to the Southern African Power Pool. Construction will begin in November 2024, with commissioning slated for mid-2025.
This initiative aligns with Botala’s strategy of establishing a local commercial footprint in both gas projects and renewables.
The Serowe Energy Hub, alongside other development projects, will consolidate Botala’s commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions in Botswana.
Likewise, the 4MW solar plant will complement a proposed 20MW gas/solar hybrid in the same hub, highlighting the company’s integrated approach to sustainable energy.
Botala CEO Kris Martinick said: “The 4MW solar project award marks an important step in Botala’s becoming a diversified energy company.
Furthermore, “Anchored on our substantial gas resource, we see this solar project as the first commercial pilot to develop the capacity to implement our 24MW gas/solar hybrid in Serowe and our 700MW hybrid near Palapye. He said, “We look forward to working with our partners to finalise this important project.”