23 May 2017

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has sealed a new power contract with Eskom after the old one expired in December 2015.

In an interview, BPC public relations officer, Ms Dineo Seleke said the expired contract was non-firm like the new one which would last three years.

Ms Seleke said the new contract was signed not because the country was expecting low power supply from Morupule B during winter, but because the old one had expired.

She said the corporation signed a new contract to secure surplus power which would act as backup and that was done at slightly five per cent, lower than the previous contract.

BPC she said was currently undertaking remediation of Morupule B and repair of Morupule A expected to be finalised in December.

“BPC has been proactive to sign agreement with Eskom to ensure secured power supply in the event the plants experience teething issues after completion of ongoing projects,” she added.

Ms Seleke said the national power demand was currently at an average of 450MW daily adding that Morupule B was currently producing 260MW and was expected to generate 520MW by May.

“Morupule B is not operating on full load as we are currently undertaking some maintenance of Units 2 and 4. Despite this state, the country’s electricity demand is being met and there is no planned load shedding,” she said.

The corporation she said complemented the 260MW from Morupule B with local backup diesel generators at 269MW and only 74MW of electricity imported from Eskom.

She further said the country did not permanently import electricity from other countries adding that electricity was only imported on a needs basis. ENDS