- Seven year lease agreement signed with Sandfire subsidiary Tshukudu Metals Botswana.
- 21 MW solar plant to supply around 30 percent of Motheo mine’s electricity demand.
- The project expected to generate 40 GWh annually with operations targeted for end 2026.
Renewable energy company Release has signed a seven year leasing agreement with Tshukudu Metals Botswana, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia headquartered Sandfire Resources, for the development of a 21 MW solar power plant at the Motheo Copper Operations near Ghanzi in Botswana.
The agreement marks a further expansion of Release’s mining portfolio in Africa and builds on Scatec’s established presence in Botswana, following the successful commissioning of its 120 MW solar portfolio in the country.
The solar facility will supply clean power to Sandfire’s copper producing Motheo asset and support the company’s decarbonisation strategy. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 40 GWh of electricity per year, meeting around 30 percent of the mine’s annual power demand.
Hans Olav Kvalvaag, Chief Executive Officer of Release, said the agreement highlights the strength of the company’s lease to own model, which combines technical expertise with flexible financing structures to enable clients to access utility scale solar without upfront capital expenditure.
“Bringing this solution to Botswana for the first time, in partnership with the Motheo mining operation, represents a major milestone for our company,” he said.
Release will now move into the implementation phase, with commercial operations scheduled to commence by the end of 2026.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
