The proposed Solar Mini Grid power station project will be the first of its kind in Botswana and will use both biogas (boloko) and solar energy to provide electricity to 67 far=flung villages that are off-grid. It is scheduled to start construction in October when imported hardware materials arrive. Sweden has invested P2.3 million in financial assistance while the government injected P1.2 million under the Renewable Energy based Rural Electrification programme (RERE).
Due to rising fuel prices, the high cost of grid connectivity and the urge to decrease dependence on imported electricity, BPC Lesedi underlines the relevance of the RERE projects. RERE projects combat energy-related CO2 emissions, high GHG technologies and use of non-renewable biomass since they are integrated into National Development Plans and have attracted both government and other partner donors such as Sweden for the mini-grid PV and Japan for the 1 MW PV projects. Use of solar will meet the basic electricity needs of individual households in terms of lighting, power for radio/cassette players, TV and income generating activities.
