08 Dec 2019

A project in which an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor has been engaged to remedy the identified Morupule ‘B’ Power Plant defects commenced in June at the first contractor’s costs. 

This was said by Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Mr Lefoko Moagi in response to a question in Parliament on December 6. 

The project was expected to be completed in 2023, he said. 

Mr Moagi explained that the EPC contractor was selected following international competitive bidding process with the bidders’ experience forming part of the selection criteria. 

The plant, he said, had produced 16 509 giga watt hours (GWh) against a target of 28 868 GWh since commissioning of the last generator unit in 2013. 

In the same period, plant availability had been recorded at 57 per cent against 84 per cent plant availability target. 

Minister Moagi attributed the under-performance to the construction and equipment defects, which were identified during the commissioning of the plant.

 MP for Palapye Mr Onneetse Ramogapi had asked about the performance of Morupule ‘B’ Power Plant since inception to date. 

He had also asked to be furnished with information on how much power was produced against the planned, challenges encountered to produce the required power, permanent solution to the plant, how the contractor was chosen compared to others and whether experience of the contractor was taken into consideration.

He also wanted the minister to establish if it was true that the Chinese government or embassy warned Botswana against awarding the tender to the said contractor. 

Minister Moagi said he had no record of either the Chinese government or its embassy warning government against awarding the tender to the said contractor. ends