Expansion of Matshelagabedi plant complete

Pauline Dikuelo | Friday September 25, 2015 15:40

The plant will add generation capacity to improve BPC’s ability to provide reliable power to domestic and industrial customers.

Currently the country has a peak demand of around 600MW that is being met by 260MW from Morupule B, 90MW from Orapa diesel plant and 120MW in both firm and non-firm imports.

Botswana also has access to a further 200MW non-firm power supply from Eskom, which is provided only when the utility is meeting demand in South Africa.

BPC’s expansion project chairperson, Franklin Modisenyane said the completion of the project, which would take the plant’s capacity to 105MW, would help address the electricity outages that the country has been facing.

“Botswana is currently faced with electrical power supply challenges, and loadshedding is the order of the day as a result.  This additional 35MW will go a long way towards alleviating the situation,” said Modisenyane.

He said: “APR demonstrated a high level of professionalism.  Quality is key and safety standards are held high.  Working with a dedicated project manager made it possible to deliver the project on time”.

The power plants will feature diesel power modules that have been redeployed from APR Energy’s former project in Libya.

 “I want to congratulate our installation and commissioning teams for demonstrating our commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction by quickly bringing this new capacity on line,” said chief executive officer, Laurence Anderson.

“These vital projects will help to raise the quality of life for people in Botswana and Senegal in a number of ways, such as supporting local medical facilities and schools,” he added.

The contract builds on a relationship that began in 2009 wheen APR Energy first developed a 70MW solution for the utility to supplement electricity imported from neighbouring countries.

APR Energy sold the power plant facility to BPC last year to ensure reliable power generation into the future.