Country Overview
The African country of the Republic of Botswana is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The population of Botswana is approximately 2.68 million people.
In 2022, Botswana’s economy was ranked 113th in gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. The country’s economy is based on the export of diamonds, insulated wire, copper ore, bovine, and gold.
Environmental Policies
In 2016, Botswana signed the Paris Climate Agreement, committing to a fifteen percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2010 levels.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, 73.7 % of the people in Botswana had access to electricity. In 2021, state-owned Botswana Power Corporation used coal (81.7 %), oil (17.8 %), and renewable energy (0.5 %) and to generate electricity in the country. Solar is the dominant type of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Botswana.
Recent renewable energy projects in Botswana include:
- 100 MW Solar Project – Botswanan company, Shumba Energy is continuing work on the Shumba Tati Solar project at a site in the northeast region of the nation. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2025.
- Solar Tender – In February 2023, the Botswana Power Corporation launched a tender for seven utility scale solar projects at different across the nation.
- Solar Tender – In July 2023, the Botswana Power Corporation launched a tender for six utility scale solar projects at different locations across the nation.
Conclusions
Botswana imports refined petroleum for transportation and power generation. In 2021, Botswana imported U.S. $788 Million for refined petroleum and U.S. $143 Million for electricity from South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to place economic sanctions on Russian imports and exports. As a result, the crude oil and natural gas prices increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
Botswana has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal. If developed, Botswana’s renewable energy resource could easily replace the costly coal and diesel fueled power plants, which provided 99.5% of the nation’s electricity.
Botswana is now turning to the sun to provide, inexpensive and reliable electricity for the nation.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a diverse range of energy issues.