- Four firms shortlisted for the 300MW project
- The project could cost $1 billion
- Winning bidder to sign PPA with Botswana Power Corporation
The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security has shortlisted four firms for the 300MW coal project. The 300MW tender, first floated in 2013, represents the only government-backed fossil fuel procurement in the 20-year Integrated Resource Plan.
In a televised briefing, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Minister, Lefoko Moagi, said, ”There is a 300MW tender that has been given out, and we believe the companies shortlisted will prove successful at it,” ”The four companies are already advanced, and we are yet to see which one will be selected.”, he added.
The four shortlisted firms include Minergy Coal, Sese Power, Jindal Africa and Maatla. Minergy is expected to be a nose ahead as it has a coal mine in operation. Other bidders will have to show proof of coal mining capacity. Bidders will be ranked according to their technical and financial capacity.
The 300MW coal project is the last fossil fuel energy project Botswana plans to procure in the next 20 years. The project is guaranteed by the government and could cost up to $1 billion. The successful bidder will build, own, operate and maintain the plant and enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with the Botswana Power Corporation.