Debswana Diamond Company and Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) signed a memorandum of agreement on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
The signing ceremony took place at the BPC Head Office. The event marked the beginning of a partnership that will help Botswana move forward in its journey to use more renewable energy.
The agreement allows Debswana to buy electricity produced from renewable energy sources such as solar for use in its mining operations.
Along with the electricity, Debswana will also receive Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). These certificates are proof that the electricity they are using is indeed generated from clean and renewable sources.
This partnership between Debswana and BPC is part of Botswana’s plan to protect the environment and reduce pollution caused by fossil fuels like coal and diesel. It shows that big companies in the country are taking steps to help fight climate change and support international agreements like the Paris Agreement.
At the event, Andrew Motsomi, the Managing Director of Debswana, shared his thoughts. He started by thanking the leadership of BPC, especially the Chief Executive Officer, David Kgoboko, and his team for working together with Debswana to make this agreement possible.
He said that the task had seemed difficult at first, but because of teamwork and dedication from both sides, they were able to reach this big milestone. Motsomi highlighted that the agreement is a big step in helping Debswana achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2030.
Being carbon neutral means that a company reduces its carbon emissions to zero, or offsets them by using cleaner energy or planting trees. Debswana is serious about protecting the environment and is following an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) plan called “Building Forever.”
The strategy focuses on sustainability and aims to reduce the impact that mining has on nature.
According to Motsomi, their plan includes four main steps, firstly to improving energy efficiency at all their operations. Secondly, finding other fuels that are cleaner than diesel. Thirdly, using renewable electricity from sources like solar power, and lastly exploring new ways to remove carbon from the environment using technology and nature.
He explained that working together with other organisations is very important to make this plan a success. That is why, in 2024, Debswana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BPC to start working on renewable energy ideas.
The MoU led to the new MoA signed at the Wednesday event. This agreement allows Debswana to officially purchase green electricity and the RECs that come with it.
Motsomi said that by adding renewable energy to their operations, Debswana is reducing harm to the environment and also helping create a better energy future for Botswana.
This will not only help the planet but will also make Debswana’s diamonds more attractive to customers who care about the environment. “It will enrich the story of our natural diamonds,” he said.
For his part, David Kgoboko, the Chief Executive Officer of Botswana Power Corporation, explained that the agreement would help Debswana achieve its goal of reducing pollution from its operations. He also said that BPC has been working hard to create the right environment where big companies like Debswana can access renewable electricity.
Kgoboko pointed out that this partnership fits very well with Botswana’s national energy goals. The country wants to use an equal mix of renewable and non-renewable energy by 2030, this means 50 percent from solar and other clean sources and 50 percent from traditional sources like coal.
He shared updates about BPC’s ongoing renewable energy projects. The corporation is planning to produce an extra 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power. Out of this, 235 megawatts (MW) have already been procured and are being developed.
One major project, the Mmadinare Solar Power Project, has already completed Phase 1 with 50MW now in commercial use. Phase 2 of that project is expected to be ready by the end of 2025.
Other solar projects are planned in Letlhakane, Maun, and at Isang Farm. Together, all these projects will raise Botswana’s total renewable power to 1.5GW, which is a big achievement for the country.
Kgoboko thanked Debswana for leading the way in the use of Renewable Energy Certificates in Botswana. He said although still new in this part of the world, the initiative is an exciting development.
The agreement is not just about supplying electricity; it is also about creating value and helping Botswana become a climate-friendly and competitive country.
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