mmegi

Norwegian firm raises P650m for Phikwe solar

Sun-powered: The Phikwe project is the closest to construction amongst the country’s planned mega-renewables PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Sun-powered: The Phikwe project is the closest to construction amongst the country’s planned mega-renewables PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Norwegian renewable energy firm, Scatec ASA, has secured a $46 million (P618m) funding package with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the development of the 50-megawatt solar plant scheduled to be built in Selebi-Phikwe.

The Norwegian firm won a highly contested tender for the contract in August 2021 and has since been mobilising funding to the tune of $49 million (P658m) required for the plant, which will be the country’s single largest renewable project to date.

The project is being done on an Independent Power Producer (IPP) basis, where Scatec will bear the costs of building, running, and maintaining the plant with the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) purchasing the power under a 25-year agreement.

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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