Botala Energy Wins 4MW Solar Project Tender In Botswana’s Serowe Energy Hub

Botala Energy Ltd is pleased to announce that its consortium has been awarded the tender for a 4MW solar power project by the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC). This project, located in Serowe, Botswana, marks a significant expansion of Botala’s diversified energy portfolio.

The tender was awarded to the Botala-led Serowe Solar Consortium, which includes a binding Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with BPC for a duration of 25 years. The agreement features inflation-linked tariffs, ensuring strong project economics. Project Phuthi, as it is known, will be situated within Botala’s Serowe Energy Hub, next to the planned 20MW gas/solar hybrid facility.

The consortium is composed of Botala Energy Ltd (49%), which will lead and operate the project; Ngwato Development Trust (26%), representing local residents and traditional leadership; Base Agencies (15%), providing civil engineering support; and OCEF Engineering Botswana (10%), handling electrical engineering.

The total cost of the project is estimated at AUD 6.6 million, with funding split between 20% equity and 80% debt. Botala’s equity will be covered by its development fees. Construction is expected to begin in November 2024, with the plant scheduled to be commissioned by mid-2025.

This solar project is a crucial step towards Botala’s broader strategy, which includes developing a 20MW gas/solar hybrid and a larger 500MW solar/200MW gas hybrid. The company is also advancing Project Pitse, a 5-well pilot cluster to demonstrate gas flow, with plans for small gas power generation and hybrid development.

Botala Energy’s CEO, Kris Martinick, commented, “The award of the 4MW solar project represents a major milestone for Botala. It advances our goal of becoming a diversified energy company and sets the stage for our future hybrid energy projects. We are excited to move forward with this development.”