Botswana energy storage industry development

What is the storage capacity of strategic reserves in Botswana?

Botswana’s strategic reserves storage is also not yet up to international standard; storage capacity is approximately 18 days compared to the international standard strategic storage capacity of 90 days. Commercial buffer stock stands at less than five days of national consumption compared to the international standard of 14 days cover.

How is Botswana strengthening its exporting capacity?

To strengthen Botswana’s exporting capacity, the GoB is investing in national and regional grid infrastructure, as well as refurbishment of general transmission infrastructure. Botswana Power Corporation (BPC)’s rural electrification program is still ongoing, and this covers new connections and expansion in some villages.

Where does Botswana get its power?

In 2023, BPC agreed to procure up to 600 MW of power generation from a yet-to-be-built coal-fired power station. Additionally, Botswana imports the bulk of its power from South African utility Eskom, and the rest from Nampower (Namibia), Zesco (Zambia), and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), to make up for any production shortfalls.

Should Botswana invest in renewables?

“While Botswana is endowed with 66% of Africa’s coal resources and has ambitious plans to exploit them for both domestic and export use, there are compelling reasons to be thinking strategically about bringing in renewables, both on-grid and as part of the country’s off-grid program,” Kapika said.

Does Botswana have solar energy?

Botswana has abundant solar energy resources, receiving over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year with an average insulation on a horizontal surface of 21MJ/m2, one of the highest rates of insulation in the world. It is essential to take advantage of the abundance of this resource.

Does Botswana have a good electricity supply?

According to Statistics Botswana, local electricity generation and distribution has showed a slight improvement, increasing by 10.2 percent from 807,943 MWh during the fourth quarter of 2022 to 890,655 MWh during the first quarter of 2023. The increase was attributable to the performance improvement of Morupule A and B power stations.