Australia’s Botala Energy Ltd and their partners has been awarded a tender by the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) for a 4MW solar power plant in Serowe, Botswana. The project is expected to spearhead the gas explorer’s expansion into renewable energy.
The Serowe Solar Consortium, led by Botala with a 49% ownership stake along with the Ngwato Development Trust, Base Agencies and OCEF Engineering Botswana will build own and operate the facility. The consortium has pledged to allocate 1% of the project’s revenue to social and community programs in Serowe.
The 4MW project, named Project Phuthi, includes a binding 25 year PPA with BPC. The solar power plant will be 4.2 kilometres from BPC’s 66/11kV substation and will be connected to the national power grid, facilitating access to the Southern African Power Pool.
Construction is expected to begin in November 2024, with commissioning slated for mid-2025.
This initiative dovetails with Botala’s strategy of establishing a local commercial footprint in both gas projects and the renewables space. The Serowe Energy Hub, alongside other projects in development, will consolidate Botala’s commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions in Botswana. The 4MW solar plant will complement a proposed 20MW gas/solar hybrid in the same hub, highlighting the company’s integrated approach to sustainable energy.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
