- State-owned electric utility Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has cancelled a tender for 100 MW of solar capacity it launched in May 2017.
- The project was nullified to allow for a fresh procurement process to be conducted with the new Terms of Reference (ToR) in line with the desired project structure.
- The new tender will be implemented through independent power producers, meaning it will be 100% privately owned.
The cancelled tender came in the form of a JV offer to potential private investor partners to build two 50MW solar farms. They now plan to reissue the tender to make the project fully private owned according to their announcement made on the weekend.
The original tender received 166 bids from both local and international power producers. Botswana Power Corporation is a state owned company for electrical power generation, transmission and distribution in Botswana. It was established in 1970 and is currently the only electricity supplier in the country.
“The project which was initially structured as a joint venture between BPC and private producers will now be implemented through independent power producers, meaning it will be 100% privately owned. The project was nullified to allow for a fresh procurement process to be conducted with the new Terms of Reference (ToR) in line with the desired project structure,” BPC explained.
“A new tender is anticipated to be floated by end of June 2019,” said the BPC. It also pointed out that potential investors will be expected to establish partnerships with local companies for joint project ownership, construction and O&M. If built, the two facilities will be country’s first large-scale PV plants.
Late last year the BPC issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) relating to the development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a 12 solar photovoltaic power projects. No further technical or financial details are provided. Read more
Drilling contractor Tlou Energy Limited announced in October last year that it spudded its first well in Botswana named Lesedi 3P. The Lesedi Project already benefits from significant, independently certified Contingent Gas Resources of 3.2 trillion cubic feet (3C) and independently certified Gas Reserves. Read more
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
