BPC seeks P1.3 bn to avert looming power crises
Plans are in the pipeline for Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) to secure an additional 100 Mega Watts of firm power imports to avert potential power crisis. The initiative comes on the backdrop of Intermittent loss of generation at Morupule B Power Plant, coupled with non- firm power imports from South Africa posing a significant challenge to meet the country’s electricity demand. The minister of finance, Peggy Serame told parliament recently that the country could experience a crippling energy crisis.
“The required emergency funding to avert an electricity crisis risk in the country is estimated at P1 375 920 000 for the current financial year,” said Serame presenting supplementary estimates of expenditure from the development fund. Though requesting over P1.3 billion, the Corporation has an outstanding loan balance of USD315.7 million equivalent to P4.2 billion. Serame said the outstanding loan was procured to finance Morupule B Power Plant and runs up to March 2030.
She highlighted that the country is experiencing significant electricity supply constraints arising from inadequate internal generation from Morupule B Power Plant coupled with the prevailing regional power generation capacity shortfall. “Despite the improvement in Morupule B Power Plant performance due to the operation and maintenance strategy implemented in 2021, the plant continues to experience plant reliability challenges due to construction and equipment defects which are being addressed through the ongoing defects remedial works project,” said Serame.
The minister highlighted that the power supply gap arising from inadequate generation is to be covered through power imports and or emergency diesel-based generation facilities.