Govt considers “new Morupule” as old faults reappear

Friday, March 28, 2025 | 290 Views |

Heart of the problem: A Fluidised Bed Heat Exchanger is pulled into place at Morupule B at the start of the remedial works in 2019. Defects in this particular component have been responsible for nearly all the faults at Morupule B over the years PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

Government is considering a new 615-megawatt plant to be built on a fast-tracked basis most likely near the Morupule power stations, in light of the challenges being experienced with the major repairs at Morupule B.

The new power station, should it go ahead, will be required to be built within 18 and 24 months, Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, told legislators on Tuesday.

“Botswana Power Corporation continues to pursue the Morupule B defects remediation project, notwithstanding challenges being experienced with the first unit to be remediated,” she said. “As a mitigation measure, the Ministry will consider other base load generation options to avert a power crisis should the Morupule B remedial works not yield the intended objectives. “In this regard, the government is considering a brownfield 615MW base load coal-fired power plant with an implementation timeline of 18 to 24 months.”

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