Tlou Energy’s flagship Lesedi project has a verified 252 billion cubic feet of CBM near Lephephe, capable of generating 100 megawatts of electricity over 25 years. The project already has a mining licence and Tlou is finalising off-take arrangements with the Botswana Power Corporation as well as financial transactions with funders. The company, however, is broadening its scope to create a clean energy district in Central Botswana over its prospecting licences which cover nearly 10,000 square metres.
Managing director, Tony Gilby told BusinessWeek that Tlou Energy is pioneering the development of hydrogen as a clean energy fuel at the Lesedi Power Plant site. He said Lesedi is ideally located to be a regional hydrogen production and distribution hub noting that hydrogen can be produced at Lesedi using solar and water, which could be a fully renewable energy source for transportation purposes. “Hydrogen, when burned in a vehicle, produces zero greenhouse gas emissions and will allow the country to be a regional pioneer in this revolutionary form of clean energy transport,” he said, in response to emailed questions. Carbon neutral biodiesel is also being investigated and the Tlou site offers many advantages for this proven process that can increase employment opportunities plus reduce the reliance on imported hydrocarbons, Gilby said. Clean cooking fuels are another potential benefit to society.
