Will a 100 MW solar plant be built in Botswana?

State-owned Botswana Power Corp. has signed a power purchase agreement with a consortium of Chinese enterprises and other companies to construct a 100 MW solar plant in southern Botswana. The project is expected to start generation by the end of 2025.

How will a solar power plant benefit Botswana?

The solar power plant will ensure that approximately 48,000 tons of CO 2 emissions will be avoided and power approximately 20,000 households annually. Botswana is rich in natural resources and has vast solar energy potential, receiving over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year.

Does Botswana have solar energy?

Botswana has abundant solar energy resources, receiving over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year with an average insulation on a horizontal surface of 21MJ/m2, one of the highest rates of insulation in the world. It is essential to take advantage of the abundance of this resource.

Who is sinotswana green energy?

The agreement is in place between Botswana Power and Sinotswana Green Energy, a consortium of Chinese and Botswana companies, jointly established by China Habor Engineering Co., China International Water and Electric Corp., and New Energy Company Proprietary Ltd., a local company. A tender for the project took place last year.

Which solar still is best suited for Botswana?

After years of research and development activities, the RIIC findings concluded that the Mexican and brick solar stills are the best suited for application in Botswana. The Mexican still consists of a moulded fibreglass basin of 1.6 m2 base area to hold saline water and has gutters on two sides to collect the distillate.

When will Botswana start generating electricity?

The facility is expected to start generation by the end of 2025. Botswana ’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the project is a key milestone in the country's energy transition. “Our journey toward energy security and transition has begun in earnest and is unstoppable.