Botswana will seek proposals this month for 1.5 gigawatts of solar power generation, a major step in its goal to reduce reliance on coal, according to Mines and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo.
Why it matters
The southern African nation aims to generate 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, leveraging its abundant sunshine to shift away from coal and imported power.
The big picture
- Botswana currently has just 5.2 megawatts of solar capacity in operation.
- The government has awarded contracts for 246 megawatts of renewable energy.
- Its long-term energy plan calls for 8 gigawatts of solar power by 2030.
Yes, but: Coal isn’t disappearing overnight. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. is constructing coal-fired plants to supply 600 megawatts of power, even as the government prioritizes renewables.
Between the lines
Botswana’s solar push comes amid a regional power crisis, with:
- Zimbabwe and Zambia facing severe electricity shortages due to drought-affected hydropower.
- South Africa struggling with rolling blackouts as its aging coal plants fail.
What’s next
President Duma Boko, whose party ended Botswana’s decades-long ruling party dominance in October, signaled in January that the country is unlikely to commission new coal-fired plants.
The bottom line
Botswana is making a bold bet on solar, positioning itself as both a regional energy exporter and a leader in Africa’s renewable transition.
Source: Bloomberg
