Gov�t seeks P500m to co-fund solar projects
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday July 11, 2017 18:00
Renewable energy studies on off grid solar have revealed that about 145,000 out of 242,000 households can be reached by the end of 2021 if this initiative is started this year. This equates to 60% of total off-grid market or a total installed capacity of approximately 300MW.
According to the Ministry’s advisor, Freddie Motlhatlhedi, based on affordability and power requirements, the majority of the households fall within Tier 3 under the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All (UN SE4ALL), which entails multi-point lighting and or cellphone or radio charging capabilities and TV, fan and low power appliances like refrigerator.
He said the preferred implementation model is through a joint venture with a contractual partnership between the government and a competitively selected experienced industry player.
“A joint venture model between the government and private sector would be suitable for this model and immediate rollout of products and packages to provide energy services to 145,000 households which equates to 60% of off-grid customers in five years,” Motlhatlhedi told a recent Renewable Energy Dialogue between Botswana and Italy .
In addition he said this would ensure that 100% of public facilities, which include schools, health posts and local government facilities have access to modern energy services by 2021.
Further he said the Ministry also intends to investigate the feasibility of hybridising diesel powered mini grids with renewable energy solutions. According to Motlhatlhedi, six sites covering 20 villages have been selected as a representative.
The selected sites include Seronga, which would cover 10 villages, Khwee which covers three villages, Mogome covering two villages, Sepako site covering three villages, Zutswa covering one village and Bere covering one village.
“This would result in close to 60% savings on the current per unit cost of diesel power generation of P3.22 per KiloWatt Hour (kWh) at Seronga Plant excluding lubrication costs and maintenance. To proceed with the implementation of the six selected sites, government must engage an IPP (independent power producer). Indicative tariff for the sampled sites includes Seronga site P1.17 kWh, Khwee site P1.09 kWh, Mogome site P1.29 kWh,” he said.
He also noted that more mini grids would be developed to increase the contribution of renewable energy, increase access and meet any other supply demand mismatches.
According to Motlhatlhedi, Botswana needs to get prepared to reap maximum benefit, requires renewable energy policy and targets to work towards and to contribute to international climate change obligations.
Botswana currently has over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year, but only derives one percent of its power needs from renewable energy. About 111 companies have responded to the Botswana Power Corporation tender in which it was seeking companies to build hybrid power stations in 20 isolated villages across the country.
In a tender published on their website, the power utility said the government’s target of increasing electricity access to 80% by 2016 has not been met and the latest initiatives was part of measures to reach the goal.
The hybrid rural network projects aim to not only electrify isolated rural areas, but improve security and reliability of energy supply as well as increase share of new and renewable sources of energy in the energy supply mix of the country while off-setting the country’s carbon footprint.