Botswana has awarded a $78.3 million contract to a consortium led by China Harbour Engineering Co. to build a 100-megawatt solar plant. The project, Botswana’s second utility-scale solar facility, is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2026.
Botswana’s Second Utility-Scale Solar Plant
This significant contract brings one of Botswana’s key solar projects to life. Awarded to a consortium led by China Harbour Engineering Co., the initiative is a pivotal development in Botswana’s renewable energy sector and will establish the country’s second utility-scale solar facility.
Image: Collected
The contract includes partnerships with China Water and Electric Development Co. and local investors. President Mokgweetsi Masisi attended the signing ceremony on Monday in Jwaneng, a diamond mining town 200 kilometres west of the capital, Gaborone.
The new plant will contribute significantly to Botswana’s energy mix, which has historically been dominated by coal. Currently, renewable energy accounts for just 2% of the country’s electricity generation.
Increasing Botswana’s Renewable Energy Capacity
Botswana is implementing a strategic plan to increase its renewable energy capacity. Under its revised Integrated Resource Programme, the country aims to ramp up renewable energy generation to 50% of total demand by 2036. This ambitious goal is part of a broader effort to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on coal.
This initiative comes as Scatec ASA began construction of a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Botswana’s northeast in March. The initial 60 megawatts of that project are expected to come online by the end of this year. The Ministry of Minerals and Energy is also finalizing the procurement of a 200-megawatt concentrated solar-thermal power plant and another 100-megawatt solar facility.
Partnerships and Supporting Infrastructure
The government is also collaborating with the World Bank on other key energy initiatives, including two 50-megawatt battery storage systems to support the Jwaneng and Scatec projects. This partnership marks the World Bank’s first lending operation for renewable energy development in Botswana.
Approved on July 11, 2024, the Botswana Renewable Energy Support and Access Accelerator (RESA) Project aims to transform the country’s energy landscape by enabling renewable solutions and improving electricity access.
Minister of Minerals and Energy Lefoko Moagi emphasized the importance of this support. He highlighted that the financing and technical assistance will help harness Botswana’s rich renewable energy resources, ensuring a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future while driving economic growth and enhancing energy security.
World Bank’s Support
The RESA Project will finance necessary grid investments and Botswana’s first 50-megawatt utility-scale battery storage system, designed to integrate and manage the new wave of renewable energy projects. The World Bank is providing an $88 million loan, with additional funding from the Green Climate Fund that includes a $30 million loan and a $4 million grant. The project will also benefit from a $3.5 million grant for technical assistance on solar, wind, and storage projects.
Satu Kahkonen, World Bank Country Director for Botswana, affirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting the country’s renewable energy expansion. She confirmed the World Bank will provide both financing and technical assistance for further renewable energy projects as part of its broader commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in Botswana.
The development of the 100-megawatt Jwaneng solar project by China Harbour Engineering Company and its partners represents a significant step forward for Botswana’s renewable energy sector. This plant, along with other ongoing and planned initiatives, will help the country achieve its goal of 50% renewable energy by 2036. As Botswana continues to invest in renewable energy, it is setting a precedent for sustainable development in the region.
