Govt invites bids for solar power plants
Thursday, July 09, 2015
a solar power plant
In an Expression of Interest (EOI) notice published on Tuesday, the government of Botswana invited bids from companies interested in building and operating a solar power station to supply Jwaneng as well as the northwest region, where copper mines are sprouting. “This invitation is a request for expression of interest to construct, operate, maintain and decommission at the end of its economic life, a scalable solar power plant,” the notice read.
The notice, however, did not specify the capacity wanted, but the Minerals, Energy and Water Resources ministry has previously stated the government should place 100MW solar power tenders, which would be equally split between Jwaneng and the northwest mines.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...