03 Sep 2015

Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources has acceded to water and power challenges besieging the country and remain upbeat  that government was doing all it can to rectify the situation.

Speaking to the media on the water and electricity issues supply challenges , Mr Kitso Mokaila said even when they started water rationing schedule three years ago they were aware of imminent challenges. 

He said they developed pump stations from Dikgatlhong to Moralane, Moralane to Palapye pipeline and also established the Masama East wellfield to increase flow to the greater Gaborone area as Gaborone Dam was drying up.

“Molatedi dam which was supplying 20 million litres has been reduced drastically to 5 million litres over a 12 hour period. With challenges in infrastructure around the Gaborone area, the situation with Bokaa, Gaborone Dam and Molatedi drying up was scary. We lost supply because of continuous breakages of pipes,” he said.

 He said the major upliftments in the entire four units at Morupule B will only be satisfactory if they could run for at least 12 months. He assured that the power supply should be in good shape next winter with the Morupule A undergoing impressive refurbishment in the near future. 

He said they have also announced the expression of interest for the 50MW for the Jwaneng area and 50MW for the Northwest solar energy projects.

For his part, chief executive officer for Botswana Power Corporation  Mr Jacob Raleru said they were currently in negotiations with a company from Korea which has offered to refurbish the power plant.  He also explained of their interest in extending their power purchase agreement with Eskom provided the latter has something to offer for the next three years. 

He attributed the latest power supply stability to the South African power utility’s adequate supply. Mr Raleru noted that they were looking for gas to convert the duel fuel Orapa power station to coal bed methane, an adjustment that will assist in lowering running costs. Ends