09 Aug 2015

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) continues to experience power challenges and has appealed to customers and the nation to continue using electricity sparingly during the tight power supply situation. 

A press release from BPC stated that the corporation regretted inconvenience caused by the interruptions due to prevailing supply challenges. It advised the public to continue switching off lights when not in use, switching off geysers and all appliances that are not critical. 

The release also stated that due to a forced outage of one of the four units (Unit 3) at Morupule B power station since July 31 this year, the domestic generation capacity was constrained, resulting in loss of 130MW.

Currently, the release said, two units (Unit 1 and Unit 4) were in operation delivering about 200MW. 

However, due to remedial maintenance on both units, the output of these units is restricted. Furthermore, it stated that the fourth unit (Unit 2), which had been on a forced outage since June 13 this year was expected to be back on the grid by mid-August barring the unforeseen.

The prevailing supply shortfall, it explained had been exacerbated by unavailability of power imports from main suppliers, particularly South Africa and Mozambique, who are also experiencing power generation challenges.

Nevertheless, the release said to avoid prolonged and sporadic power interruptions, the corporation was working round the clock to restore all the units at Morupule B at the earliest possible, in addition to dispatching diesel fired emergency power plants. Ends