Botswana's energy production
Botswana, located in central southern Africa, has made significant strides in its energy production since gaining independence in 1966. The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), established in 1970, is the primary entity responsible for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The main power source is the Morupule Power Plant, which generates approximately 80% of the country’s electricity and relies on coal from the nearby Morupule Colliery. Despite these resources, Botswana faces an energy supply gap, with estimated consumption surpassing production, leading to reliance on electricity imports from South Africa's Eskom.
The country is rich in coal reserves, estimated at over 200 billion tons, and has begun exploring coal-bed methane as an alternative energy source. Initiatives like the Rural Electrification Program have aimed to enhance access to electricity in rural areas, though overall individual energy consumption remains low. Future energy strategies include expanding existing coal facilities and exploring renewable options, despite challenges such as infrastructure limitations and the need for technological advancements. Botswana's commitment to improving energy access reflects its broader goals of development and enhanced quality of life for its citizens.
Subject Terms
Botswana's energy production
Official Name: Republic of Botswana.
Summary: Botswana is one of the wealthiest and most stable countries in Africa. Most energy generation comes from coal. Oil and solar power are being explored, however, the country will likely continue to depend on coal.
Botswana, located in central southern Africa, is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. With a population of only about 2.2 million, it is sparsely populated. It has transformed itself from a poor nation at independence (1966) to one of the fastest-growing nations in the world in terms of per capita income. Its citizens are now considered middle-income, similar to those of Mexico and Turkey.
In 1970, the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) was developed under an act of Parliament as a public enterprise. BPC was designated as responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity within the country, as approved by the Ministry of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources. The main power station in Botswana, Morupule, was commissioned in two stages, with the second stage completed in 1989. It provides around 80 percent of the country's domestically generated electricity.
Coal mining by Debswana at Morupule Colliery, located near Serowe in the eastern Kalahari Basin, supplies the coal-fired Morupule Power Plant. Debswana was formed in 1969 by the government of Botswana and South Africa’s De Beers mining company as an equal partnership. Morupule Colliery is majority owned by Debswana, with 93 percent ownership. Production at Morupule Colliery began in 1973, with 1 million tons generated per year. In addition to supplying the coal-fired power plant, Morupule supplies coal to hard-rock mining operations at Selebi-Phikwe and to the Sua Pan soda ash plant, with exportation to Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although Morupule Colliery is the most explored field and the only operating mine, additional exploration and initial development have occurred approximately 81 miles south in Mmamabula.
Beginning in 1975 with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency, the Rural Electrification Program was initiated to connect villages and rural areas to the national grid. Since the 1970s, funding has also been provided by the Danish International Development Agency and the government of Botswana to continue expansion to villages and rural areas.
Supply and Demand
Botswana produced an estimated 2.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2015, with an estimated consumption of 3.7 billion kilowatt hours. The gap between supply and demand is filled by power imported from the South African power utility Eskcom. As of 2016, the country had no electricity exports, no oil reserves, and no natural gas production.
The coal reserves in southern Botswana are estimated to be more than 200 billion tons (of which 3 to 5 billion tons could be economically mined). This amount would be suitable for more than 99 percent of electricity generation in the country. Development of coal-bed methane gas (a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds) in the northeastern part of the country, estimated at 12 trillion cubic feet, was funded by the United States’ Overseas Private Investment Corporation in 2004. In 2017, the government granted a coal-bed methane mining license to the Australian company Tlou Energy, paving the way for the country's first gas-to-power plant.
Despite expansion of the energy sector, availability of services, and commitment by the government to provide energy access as a means for development and improving quality of life, individual energy consumption is low. Although power is available throughout the country, quality and quantity are limited and often unable to meet the demands of the people. While current dependence is on coal-fired power plants, because of low consumption rates, Botswana ranked 129th in the world in 2013 in terms of carbon dioxide emissions produced from fossil fuel consumption.
Projections for Future Energy Generation and Consumption
Ranked as Africa’s least corrupt country by Transparency International, Botswana can boast substantial opportunities for further investment in the country’s energy production. In addition to the government of Botswana, a number of regional and international stakeholders are seeking to develop coal-mine methane and coal-bed methane as a means for meeting greater demand throughout the region.
Botswana Power Corporation is working to bring a second unit at Morupule up to full capacity, and hopes are high for the stalled Mmamabula energy project, financed by the Indian company Jindal and consisting of a planned 1,200-megawatt power station and integrated coal mine with an estimated 2.6 billion tons intended to supply South Africa. Although the transportation infrastructure has been a limiting factor for exploration and exportation of coal (as well as hydro and other energy sources), the country is considering rail-line partnerships with Namibia to support coal exports.
There is investment in other renewable resources, such as building dams for hydropower, but technology and supply are limited and not expected to be able to meet the demand of the people.
Bibliography
Benton, Dale. "Coal Is Here to Stay! Botswana to Drive the Future of Coal Power Demand." Mining Global, 7 Apr. 2018, www.miningglobal.com/operations/coal-here-stay-botswana-drive-future-coal-power-demand. Accessed 4 Oct. 2018.
"Botswana." CIA World Factbook, 26 Sept. 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bc.html. Accessed 4 Oct. 2018.
Botswana Power Corporation 2017 Annual Report, 2017, www.bpc.bw/about-us/Annual%20Reports/2017%20BPC%20ANNUAL%20REPORT.pdf. Accessed 4 Oct. 2018.
Mguni, Mbongeni. “Botswana: All Eyes on Pilot Solar Power Station.” February 9, 2010. http://allafrica.com/stories/201002091106.html.
“Mmamabula Energy Project.” Jindal Africa, 2016, www.jindalafrica.com/countries/botswana/mmamabula-energy-project. Accessed 4 Oct. 2018.