Botswana is making significant progress in reducing its dependence on imported electricity as improvements in local generation strengthen the country’s energy security. The latest development is the full operationalisation of the 100MW Mmadinare Solar PV Cluster plant, which is adding renewable energy to Botswana’s electricity supply and supporting efforts to build a more reliable power system. The plant represents an important investment in Botswana’s energy infrastructure at a time when the country is working to increase domestic generation and reduce exposure to costly electricity imports. Minister of Minerals and Energy, Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, said the increased generation capacity is already improving electricity stability and strengthening energy security. She also noted that the progress could eventually position Botswana to become a net electricity exporter within the region.
Speaking at the official opening of the Mmadinare Solar PV Cluster plant, Honourable Kenewendo highlighted the broader impact of increased domestic electricity generation. She said improved local capacity is helping create a more stable electricity supply while strengthening the country’s ability to meet its energy needs. Greater energy security can also make Botswana more attractive to investors because reliable electricity is an important requirement for businesses across sectors. Increased generation capacity can support industrial development, commercial activity and the expansion of communities while reducing the risks associated with shortages. The Minister’s remarks therefore place the Mmadinare project within Botswana’s wider economic development and energy security strategy.
Honourable Kenewendo also pointed to improvements at Morupule B Power Station, where all four units are now fully operational. The improved performance of the power station has increased Botswana’s domestic generation capacity and contributed to a reduction in electricity imports. In addition to Morupule B, the 100MW Jwaneng Solar PV Cluster and Morupule A are also operational, further expanding the country’s local electricity supply. The combination of thermal and solar generation gives Botswana a more diverse electricity generation base and reduces pressure on the country to rely heavily on external supplies. These developments represent an important step towards achieving a more stable and resilient power system.
The Mmadinare project is particularly significant because Botswana has some of the world’s strongest solar resources. Member of Parliament for Mmadinare and Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Honourable Ketlhalefile FC Motshegwa, highlighted the country’s abundant solar resources and tremendous potential for solar power generation. He said Botswana’s high levels of solar radiation provide a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable energy mix. Harnessing this resource can allow the country to increase renewable electricity generation while reducing its reliance on imported power. It could also create new opportunities for investment in renewable energy infrastructure and related industries.
Botswana’s solar potential provides a strong foundation for expanding renewable energy over the coming years. Solar photovoltaic technology can convert the country’s abundant sunlight into electricity while supporting diversification of the national energy mix. Developing more solar capacity can also reduce the pressure placed on conventional generation facilities during periods of high electricity demand. As more renewable projects become operational, Botswana can strengthen domestic supply while creating opportunities to participate more actively in regional electricity markets. Honourable Motshegwa’s vision of Botswana becoming a net electricity exporter therefore reflects the potential created by combining the country’s natural solar resources with continued investment in generation infrastructure.
The performance of the Mmadinare solar plant has already demonstrated its contribution to Botswana’s electricity supply. Botswana Power Corporation CEO, Mr David Kgoboko, reported that the 100MW facility had generated more than 243,288MWh of electricity since commissioning. This output has helped supplement local generation and reduce Botswana’s dependence on expensive electricity imports from the Southern African Power Pool. The plant has also maintained availability and reliability averaging above 99%, according to the BPC CEO. Such performance demonstrates the role that well-managed renewable energy facilities can play in strengthening the reliability of the national electricity system.
The reduction in electricity imports has important financial implications for Botswana because imported power can expose the country to higher costs and external supply pressures. Increasing domestic generation allows more electricity demand to be met from facilities located within Botswana, improving the country’s control over its energy supply. Renewable generation can further support this strategy by reducing reliance on imported electricity while making greater use of locally available solar resources. Over time, a stronger domestic generation base could allow Botswana to redirect resources towards other development priorities while improving the resilience of its power system. The Mmadinare plant is therefore contributing not only to electricity generation but also to the country’s broader energy and economic objectives.
The project also demonstrates the potential of partnerships between government, public utilities and private investors in delivering major energy infrastructure. Scatec financed, developed and constructed the Mmadinare 100MW solar PV plant as the Independent Power Producer. Under the 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with Botswana Power Corporation as the offtaker, Scatec will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility. This arrangement provides a long-term framework for the plant’s continued operation while allowing private sector expertise and investment to contribute to Botswana’s energy transition. The project illustrates how collaboration between public institutions and private companies can accelerate the development of generation capacity.
The long-term Power Purchase Agreement also provides an important foundation for the project’s sustainability. By establishing an agreement between the Independent Power Producer and BPC, the project has a structured framework for supplying electricity to the national system over an extended period. Continued operation and maintenance will be essential to ensuring that the facility maintains its strong performance and continues delivering electricity to the grid. The reported availability of above 99% provides an encouraging indication of the plant’s operational performance so far. Maintaining that level of reliability will be important as Botswana seeks to expand renewable generation and reduce its dependence on imported electricity.
The Mmadinare solar project also has significance for Botswana’s ambition to become a net electricity exporter in the Southern African region. Achieving that goal will require continued investment in generation capacity, transmission infrastructure and the systems needed to integrate different sources of electricity into the national grid. Botswana’s progress at Morupule B, Morupule A, Jwaneng and Mmadinare provides a growing foundation for increasing domestic electricity availability. Continued development of solar resources could further expand this capacity and create opportunities for Botswana to participate more strongly in regional electricity trade. If local generation continues to grow faster than domestic demand, the country could gradually move from dependence on imports towards supplying electricity to neighbouring markets.
The full operationalisation of the Mmadinare 100MW Solar PV Cluster marks an important milestone in Botswana’s transition towards greater energy independence and a more diversified electricity system. The plant has already generated more than 243,288MWh and achieved availability and reliability of above 99%, supporting the national grid and reducing dependence on costly imports. Combined with operational improvements at Morupule B, Morupule A and the Jwaneng Solar PV Cluster, the project strengthens Botswana’s domestic electricity generation base. The country’s abundant solar resources provide further opportunities to expand renewable energy and attract investment into the power sector. With continued collaboration between government, BPC and private investors such as Scatec, Botswana is strengthening its energy security and moving closer to its ambition of becoming a net electricity exporter in the region.
