Renewable resources a solution to blackouts
Pauline Dikuelo | Thursday May 22, 2014 10:11
This was raised during the commemoration of the annual World Metrology Day held in Gaborone this week, under the theme ‘Measurements and the global energy challenge’.
Botswana is one of the countries that has recently been facing energy challenges largely due to the operational challenges at Morupule B power station. The crux of the problem is the growing energy demand due to the growing population and economy, coupled with the need to limit or reduce greenhouse gases.
Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) manager of trade metrology Ditlhake Dommy Tau said the high-energy demand is due to the rapid population growth and establishments of industries.
“There is lack of contingency plans, people need to meet Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) halfway. We have many options of utilising natural resources as our country is fortunate enough that the sun is available almost all the seasons. As BOBS we are currently striving on having verification of these products,” he said.
Tau raised concern over the high rate of imports into the country saying Botswana is used as a dumping site because of lack of restrictions.
In response, Tlhabane Linchwe, the energy engineer (Oil and Gas) in the Ministry of Minerals Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR), explained that they are working on sensetising Batswana about energy conservation. He said their efforts are already bearing fruit as they managed to convince the Gaborone City Council to use the LED bulbs on streetlights and robots around the City.
When quizzed about the recent blackouts, Linchwe pointed out that Botswana has enough coal to sustain Batswana for almost hundred years. He blamed the technical challenges and plant efficiency for failing the nation. He further urged people to conserve electricity by using renewable resources.
From the companies that took part during the commemorations hosted by BOBS, renewable energies were identified as the only option to overcome the energy challenge that Botswana is facing. Leatile Mothobi of Solar International Botswana urged Batswana to utilise the abundant sun by using panels, which he claimed to be affordable.
“We are also the solution to the water shortage as we have the 250 Watts panels for drilling the borehole which can produce 2,000 litres in a day.” Another company, Solar Power Botswana displayed a biogas plant, which they said uses waste products to produce cooking gas. “This new project which was just launched impressed a lot of people as companies like Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) have already made an order. We can also convert the power geyser to use solar,” Tshepang Lefakae said.
Products that were displayed included solar panels, streetlights, side bed bulbs as well as the biogas plant, which uses waste products to produce gas.