08 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 forest carbon stock.

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama said this in Parliament on November 6 when he delivered the State of the Nation Address. 

He said since National Development Plan (NDP) 10, over 2 million tree seedlings were planted throughout the country, adding that the plan was to plant three million more trees by 2020 and six million trees by 2030.

Further, he said there had been a drastic improvement in how the fires were managed mainly due to the development and implementation of the Fire Management Strategy in collaboration with Australia through the New South Wales Rural Fire Services.

President Khama said Botswana had continued to provide leadership in ensuring 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 into low-emission and climate resilient development. We also hope to benefit from the Adaptation Fund of the Climate Change Convention,” he said.

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

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

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

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

He said the need to increase renewal energy contributions to the energy mix was a consistent goal in an effort to develop a Low Carbon Energy Portfolio, adding that the current maximum electricity demand for Botswana is estimated at 520MW, which is expected to grow to 856MW in 2025.

“Our installed generating capacity stands at 927MW 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.’

He said once Morupule A is 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.

Further, he mentioned that the 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 while creating adequate transmission capacity to facilitate exports through the Southern African Power Pool network,” he said. ENDS