07 Nov 2017

In keeping with the Forest Policy of 2011, government continues to plant trees to combat environmental degradation and contribute to the enhancement of the forest carbon stock.

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama said this when delivering the State of the Nation Address on November 6.

He said since NDP 10 over two million tree seedlings were planted throughout the country, adding that they plan to plant three million trees by 2020 and six million trees by 2030.

Furthermore, he said there had been improvements on how wild fires were managed due to the development and implementation of a fire management strategy in collaboration with Australia through the New South Wales Rural Fire Services.

President Khama said the country had continued to provide leadership in ensuring the global uptake of natural capital accounting and sustainable management of natural resources through the Gaborone Declaration on Sustainability in Africa.

“We are currently undergoing accreditation to the Green Climate Fund working through the preparation of a readiness programme with delivery partners so as to enable access to the funding mechanism. Through the establishment of the national designated authority, the Green Climate Fund is expected to help Botswana respond to climate change by investing in low-emission and climate resilient development. We also hope to benefit from the adaptation fund of the Climate Change Convention,” he said.

He also said improvements in the accuracy of both weather forecasts and climate projections had been recorded due to the installation of 32 automatic weather stations countrywide.

The forecasts, he noted, were crucial in development planning, sectoral development of climate change adaptation and mitigation response strategies as well as disaster reduction and preparedness.

On energy, President Khama said in October 2016, government created a reconstituted Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security to give priority to green technology and energy security.

Furthermore, he said self-sufficiency in power supply and diversification of petroleum products were priorities for energy security.

He said the need to increase renewal energy contribution to the energy mix was a consistent goal in the effort to develop a low carbon energy portfolio, adding that the maximum electricity demand for Botswana was estimated at 520 MW, and was expected to grow to 856 MW in 2025.

“Our installed generating capacity stands at 927 MW and comprises of the following: 132MW from Morupule A, 600MW from Morupule B, 90MW from Orapa Power Plant, 105MW from Matshelagabedi Alstom Power Rentals Plant,” he said.

In addition, President Khama informed the nation that “the refurbishment of Morupule A is ongoing and Unit 1 of the plant is currently undergoing commissioning, and the refurbishment of all the remaining three units will be completed by end of December 2017.”

He said once Morupule A was up and running, the Matshelagabedi diesel power peaking plant would be discontinued in an effort to bring down the cost of power generation in the country.

“Remediation of Morupule B is ongoing and the contractor (CNEEC) is carrying out remediation work which is scheduled to be completed at the end of the year,” he said.

Furthermore, he said Botswana Power Corporation would cover the power supply gap by running Morupule A and power imports from the Southern African Power Pool.

“Work is also in progress to upgrade the existing national power supply infrastructure. This will ensure a stable supply and transmission of power whilst creating adequate transmission capacity to facilitate exports through the Southern African Power Pool network,” he said. ENDS