BPC to float citizenonly solar tenders

Botswana Power Corporation intends to attract more local companies to contribute to the renewable energy supply.

BPC Chief Executive officer, David Kgoboko revealed that they will soon be floating tenders for seven small scale grid- tied solar PV projects with a combined capacity of 20MW. “These tenders will be restricted to 100 percent citizen owned companies. The Corporation is planning to host an investors and financiers’ conference to brief them about these investment opportunities.”

He explained that the procurement of a developer for the second utility scale 50MW solar PV project to be located in Jwaneng, is in progress and tender award is expected in December 2022. “The Corporation has a mandate to procure Independent Power Producers for the development of two grid connected utility scale solar PV plants, and 12 small scale grid- tied solar PV plants with a combined capacity of 35MW.”

The corporation is working on developing a new energy mix aimed at increasing the contribution of renewables in the electricity supply portfolio. To date, six PPAs have been signed between BPC and two independent power producers ( IPPs) namely Sturdee Energy with two projects ( Shakawe – 1MW, and Bobonong – 3MW) and Akuo Energy with three projects ( Lobatse – 4MW,

Maun – 4MW and Ghanzi – 4MW). Re- tenders for seven small- scale solar PV plants ( Kasane, Molepolole, Serowe, Tsabong, Tutume, Kang, Charles Hill) and a 1X50 MW utility- scale solar PV plant at Jwaneng, are being processed.