UNDP injects P25m into bio-energy
Pauline Dikuelo | Friday August 15, 2014 12:47
This was revealed by UNDP resident coordinator for Botswana, Anders Pedersen, during a two day renewable energy conference on Monday.
Pedersen said this intervention is envisioned to tap into Botswana’s wealth of renweable engery.
“Botswana has an incredible potential towards developing renewable energy, particularly solar due to the 320 days of sun exposure. This is why we support the dialogue on transitioning towards renewable energy and continue to put resources into piloting new technologies and interventions such as Solar PV and bio-energy production,” Pedersen said. Pedersen stated that in the last two years, UNDP has provided close to P10 million worth of support towards the procurement and distribution of solar home systems in rural areas around Botswana.
“We are also supporting the establishment of a Renewable Energy Fund that will facilitate easy access for start-up capital and other financing mechanisms for individuals and small businesses who want to use and promote the up-take of solar technologies,” he said.
Pedersen expressed the importance of renewable energy in today’s world, adding that it could make a difference towards poverty eradication and addressing climate change.
“It is clear that the world stands ready for action on renewable and clean energy as part of the fight against poverty and inequality towards building resilience and addressing climate change,” said Pedersen
For his part, the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Kitso Mokaila said they are rigorously pursuing harnessing solar energy given its potential, adding that there are other potential energy sources that need to be tapped into.
“We need to harness bio-energy for diesel production, municipal solid waste for electricity generation as a by-product of waste management and bio-gas for heating,” said the minister.
SE4ALL is United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s effort towards achieving sustainable energy for all. Through it, the UN and other development partners have committed to providing technical and financial support. At the global level, partners have pledged up to US$50 billion towards supporting the initiative.
Botswana became a member at the Rio+20 conference in June, and there agreed to ensure access to modern energy services for all Batswana, work towards doubling the rate of improvements in energy efficiency and to increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix.
Steps towards the goals of SE4ALL are also steps towards sustainable development, a pathway that Botswana has committed itself to through several initiatives including the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa and the process of formulating a National Strategy for Sustainable Development.