Botswana will rely on electricity imports from South Africa to address a deepening energy crisis, according to the country’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy.
Minister Bogolo Joy Kenewendo told Parliament that Botswana will implement load management measures as the country grapples with an energy shortfall caused by ongoing failure of the 600 MW Morupule B power station.
Ongoing structural and equipment defects at Morupule B have cost Botswana P18.1 billion (R25 billion) in electricity imports since 2013, Kenewendo said.
Recent challenges have been compounded by a power shortage in the Southern African Power Pool. “There is a shortage of power in the region. Available electricity in the market, especially during peak periods, is predominantly supplied from emergency diesel plants, which comes at prohibitive rates,” Kenewendo said.
In response, the government is prioritising repairs to Morupule B units 2 and 4. In the interim, Botswana plans to import additional electricity from South Africa to meet domestic demand.
Longer-term measures are underway to reduce reliance on imports. These include the construction of a new 615 MW coal-fired power station as well as two 100 MW solar photovoltaic plants in Mmadinare and Jwaneng. These projects are expected to deliver energy security by 2027, Kenewendo said.
