11 Oct 2020

Capacity building is underway to assist Batswana to construct biogas digesters in the southern parts of the country.

Speaking at the Parliament Committee on Governance meeting recently, BERA chief executive officer, Ms Rose Seretse said it was essential to assist Batswana in understanding how biogas adoption can be beneficial to them.

BERA inspections, supervision and environmental compliance acting director, Mr Gift Bakumbi also explained that the pilot project was in conjunction with energy department and their aim was to yield 200 small scale biogas digesters.  

“Some biogas digesters were reported already in operation in areas including Nkoyaphiri, Moshupa, Mmathethe and Mmamashia to mention but a few,” he said.

Mr Bakumbi said the project was also intended to yield at least two large scale or industrial scale biogas digesters specifically for the production of electricity in those areas.

In addition, he said the large scale digesters would conduct the first piloting at Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and procurement of technical consultants had been carried out.

He further indicated that training of project team would resume this week.

Small scale digesters, he said, were aimed at mainly providing energy for heating and cooking in domestic areas.

He indicated that United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would finance labour for contractors on behalf of applicants whereas the energy department would assist with technical support.

“I must say this project is progressing very well and Batswana are actually participating. It is supported by UNDP but those that did not get the sponsorship are still supported technically through this project.

The only difference is that they pay for the constructions themselves but get all the technical support they need through the project,” he said. ENDS