- Botswana’s first coalbed methane independent power producer (IPP), Tlou Energy, intends to connect to the national grid early next year.
- Lesedi is the company’s coalbed methane project, a gas field in central Botswana expected to help close the country’s power deficit.
Botswana‘s first coalbed methane independent power producer (IPP), Tlou Energy, intends to connect to the national grid early next year, the company said in a report on November 4.
In a quarterly activities report issued on the Botswana Stock Exchange, the company said that its downstream activities, including the grid connection power line for the Lesedi substations and generators, are nearing completion in Serowe village in Botswana’s Central District.
Lesedi is the company’s coalbed methane project, a gas field in central Botswana expected to help close the country’s power deficit as the country aims for a surplus through IPPs.
“Work has been ongoing at Lesedi for some time, with the project targeting the first power generation expected in mid-2025. Lesedi remains at the forefront of Botswana’s gas-to-power sector, making substantial progress in developing the proposed 10 MW gas-to-power project,” said Tony Gilby, managing director of Tlou Energy.
Although financially challenged, the company’s major shareholder, Ian Campbell, has indicated his willingness to provide funding. The power station is expected to be installed, commissioned, and tested for approval in 2025.
“This is subject to receiving adequate financing and achieving sufficient and consistent gas flow from existing and proposed production wells,” Gilby added. Enditem.
According to the BPC Annual Report, 2010, the generation of electricity in Botswana started in 1985 with a coal-fired thermal power station at Morupule operating at a capacity of 132 MWH. Before this period, most of Botswana’s electricity was imported from South Africa’s power utility, Eskom.
In 2008, South Africa’s electricity demand started to exceed its supply, resulting in the South African government restricting power exports. As a result, Botswana and the entire Southern African region experienced massive power shortages because of the reduced electricity exports from South Africa.