PALAPYE: The Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) CEO Edwin Elias has noted that the installation of solar power has significantly reduced electricity costs for a charity organisation by 80%.
Speaking during the just-ended MCM CEO charity cycling event, Elias reported that they installed a solar project at the Cheshire Foundation in Palapye using the proceeds raised from the previous year's charity cycling event. Elias stated that the solar project which is valued at P300,000 will not only reduce operational costs for the foundation but also promote sustainability and environmental consciousness.
“The solar project is going to significantly save 80% of electricity at Cheshire Foundation,” he added. According to Elias, instead of spending over P3,000 on electricity before solar installation, the beneficiaries will only need to pay about P700 for electricity now that solar has been installed.
He noted that various stakeholders' support for the event goes beyond their monetary donations. He stated that by being part of the event, they are playing a pivotal role in enabling a healthier community, fostering young talent and making charitable projects like the Cheshire Foundation solar installation possible.
This initiative is a testament to what they can achieve when they come together for a common cause, he added. Stanbic Bank Botswana Head of Business and Commercial Banking, Lesego Osman said that last Friday, they attended a handover donation made possible by the proceeds collected last year.
He said that the solar panels donated to Cheshire Foundation right will be a game changer and a beacon of hope for those who are differently abled. He said that as a financial partner, their mission is to foster healthy living while contributing to the growth of Botswana’s economy.
Osman indicated that through their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) they focus on encouraging a healthy lifestyle and overall wellness. "Supporting this event is part of our broader strategy to integrate sports, particularly cycling, into our goals. By backing these activities, we align with our mission to advance Social, Environmental, and Economic (SEE) sustainability, which is a key initiative for them. Through this sponsorship, we aim to make a meaningful and lasting difference within our nation, and partnerships like these are crucial to that effort,” he added. Stanbic Bank has been contributing P250,000 each year as part of the three-year sponsorship agreement for the charitable cycling event.
