04 Sep 2021

Diamond Trading Company (DTC) Botswana has completed phase 1 of the solar PV plant project, which involved construction of a 350 kWp plant at an estimated cost of P5.2 million.

The company announced the launch of a new solar PV plant project In November 2020.

A press release from DTC Botswana says at the time, the company announced that “the project would be done in two phases. Phase 1 involved the construction of a 350 kWp solar PV plant at an estimated cost of P5.2 million. Phase 2 involves construction of a further 600 kWp solar PV plant that would generate sufficient energy to power the entire DTC Botswana’s facility during daytime. Phase 2 is expected to cost P5.6 million”.

It says the 350 KWp solar power plant has been safely constructed, commissioned, and fully connected to Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) grid. Additionally, the 350 kWp is expected to reduce DTC Botswana power demand by about 33 per cent during peak hours and overall energy consumption by 18 per cent, which is equivalent to powering approximately 100 households a day.

“This initiative is expected to contribute towards the DTC Botswana’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and protecting the natural world. Phase 2 will commence in September 2021 and will increase the capacity of the plant to 950 kWp, which will enable the plant to meet 100 per cent of DTCB Botswana’s energy demand during the day and reduce overall energy consumption by about 48 per cent,” the release quotes DTC Botswana senior manager technical services, Ms Prudence Mabua.

DTC Botswana is proud to become one of the pioneering companies in Botswana to build a solar PV plant and thereby supporting government efforts in promoting green technologies, the media release further says. ENDS