mmegi

Four-way race opens for 300MW contract

Powering the nation: Morupule B is the country’s primary coal-fired power station PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI
Powering the nation: Morupule B is the country’s primary coal-fired power station PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

Four local coal developers have been shortlisted by government to develop a 300MW power station, the last fossil-fuel-based electricity the state plans to procure in the next 20 years. Minergy Coal, Sese Power, Jindal Africa and Maatla have extensive resources on the country’s coalfields and are at varying, but largely advanced, stages of development. Of the four, only Minergy is already in production while Sese, Jindal and Maatla have coal mining licences.

The 300MW tender first floated in 2013, represents the only government-backed fossil fuel procurement in the 20-year Integrated Resource Plan prepared by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security. The balance of projects in the plan is from sustainable sources.

“There is a 300MW tender that has been given out and we believe the companies shortlisted will prove successful at it,” Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security minister, Lefoko Moagi told a televised briefing on Monday. “The four companies are already advanced and we are yet to see which one will be selected. “The power station will be built next to the mine.”


Editor's Comment
Two-tier education system demands action

Whilst we join Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) and other stakeholders in commending the rise in top grades, a testament to the unwavering effort of many teachers and pupils, this progress is fundamentally shadowed by a failing that shames our society. The stark, persistent urban-rural divide is not just a statistic, but an active betrayal of thousands of young Batswana.The figures are a damning indictment. When pass rates in...

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