Boteti to experience two-day power shutdown

| Friday September 24, 2010 00:00

To this end the Corporation is mandated to facilitate sustainable and diversified development of our country by rendering a quality electricity energy supply and service that is efficient, safe and environmentally prudent.

2. The supply-demand balance in Botswana and in the region remains precarious.  Whilst the Corporation continues to do all in its power to manage the situation, this situation is expected to remain with us until 2011/2012. To manage the situation, the Corporation has embarked on a number of strategic initiatives on the supply/generation side, and also actively progressed demand side management programs such as the National Energy Efficiency Campaign (NEEC), replacement of incandescent bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent and replacement of old electricity meters with smart meters in Gaborone, Francistown, Jwaneng, Selibe Phikwe, Lobatse.

3. The corporation is also continuing with public campaign aimed at changing consumption patterns and reducing consumption of power especially during electricity peak hours between 6am-10am and 6pm-10pm.

4. As part of its strategy to manage the supply, Botswana Power Corporation and Debswana are constructing a 90MW gas/liquid fired power station and a 220kV switching station respectively for provision of 90MW emergency power over the critical period from January 2011 to October 2012.

5. The power plant is now ready for commissioning. The scope of work for commissioning covers connecting the new 220kV switching station (Orapa No.2) to the existing Serule - Orapa 220kV line. The works involves cutting out one span of the existing 220kV line and effecting the required connections to the new Orapa switching station.For this to be implemented there will be a continuous total supply shutdown in Boteti area from the 28th of September 2010 to 29th of September 2010.

6. It is against this background that  BPC informs the nation, residents and business communities in the Boteti  Area that there will be a continuous total supply shutdown from Tuesday 28th September 2010 from 06:00Hrs to  Wednesday 29th September 2010  at 18:00 hrs.