Norwegian firm raises P650m for Phikwe solar
Friday, June 30, 2023 | 510 Views |
Sun-powered: The Phikwe project is the closest to construction amongst the country’s planned mega-renewables PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
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.
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...