31 May 2016

Due to the ongoing maintenance of Unit 1 and 3, only two units, Unit 2 and 4, are in full operation delivering about 260 MW. 

A press release from Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) says the corporation anticipates increase in the national demand for power from the current 530 MW to a projected 669 MW during the winter season and therefore encourages customers to use electricity sparingly, despite the anticipated stable power supply this winter.

To support the BPC’s efforts to ensuring continuous electricity supply countrywide, customers are also encouraged to switch off their geysers during peak hours (6am-10am and 6pm-10pm), air conditioners, swimming pool pumps, lights that are not absolutely necessary and use energy efficient light bulbs.

Additionally, customers are also urged to adjust and adopt the golden rule - “If not in use, switch it off” and to postpone energy intensive activities like ironing, cooking on electric stoves and washing with machines to be done outside peak hours.

The release says to avoid any possible power supply interruptions, except for the unplanned outages that could relate to faults and or maintenance works being undertaken, the Corporation is working on ensuring that all the units are restored at the earliest possible time. 

The corporation expects Unit 1 to be functional in terms of contribution of an additional130 MW to the national grid by mid-June 2016 if not earlier, while Unit 3’s date of operation has not yet been established.

When in full operation, as per the release, Unit 1 and 3 also contributes a further 260 MW.

“The corporation has projected an import supply of 190MW, while 479MW will be produced locally for the peak period. The power stability in the SADC region has also improved which is something that has alleviated any possible supply shortfall,” says the release. 

In situations where by the grid is constrained, as part of the Demand Side Management (DSM) initiatives, customers are informed that the Corporation will embark on a Load Management Program to avoid load shedding. 

The program, as per the release, requires customers to maintain their loads within 10A (2300Watts) during peak periods (6AM-10AM and 6PM-10PM). 

In instances where the Load Management Programme does not off- load the grid, the release says load shedding as the last resort measure to control demand will then be implemented. Ends