27 Mar 2022

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security has confirmed adequate supply of power in the country.

Responding to a question in Parliament recently, Minister Lefoko Moagi said there was therefore no load shedding that was being undertaken countrywide.

Mr Moagi said there was adequate supply from local sources which comprised domestic generation from Morupule power stations A and B, power emergency power generation facilities in Orapa and Matshelagabedi.

He said the power interruptions occasionally experienced in some parts of the country were attributed to distribution network falls notably during inclement weather conditions and to the less extent during the winter high demand season, adding that power interruptions were not load shedding.

The causes of distribution power cuts, he said were mostly aged infrastructure, inadequate maintenance and in some instances demand exceeding installed capacity.

He said the aged infrastructure and maintenance backlog resulted in network falls which included equipment failure, falling of wooden power line poles and trees getting in contact with live conductors resulting in sporadic short circuits during windy and rainy conditions.

“In some instances direct lightning strike on power infrastructure caused power cuts and other causes of power cuts on the distribution network including but not limited to theft of copper, damage of underground power cables from excavations by various entities and motorists colliding into power infrastructure which was unfortunately on the increase,” he said.

Regarding power cuts that affected the Maun area in the past two weeks, he said there were 22 incidents of power outages of which 14 were planned while the remaining eight were unplanned.

He said most of the outages planned under the power servitude would continue to be undertaken to mid-2022 to ensure the power lines were clear of trees.

He added that some unplanned outages were caused by inclement weather, aging equipment and other various factors while some power interruptions were planned to enable safe working on the power network by Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

“Under such circumstances BPC notifies customers on the timing and duration of the planned power interruptions. Customers are encouraged to contact BPC contact centre if in doubt to ascertain whether there was planned outage or not,” he said.

The minister explained that  BPC had put some measures in place to ensure reliable and stable power supply in the country, emphasising that to address the issue of aging infrastructure and demand exceeding stalled capacity, annual budget provision was made for the refurbishment and reinforcement of the distribution network.

He said the intervention was in progress and phase one of the project had been completed whilst phase two was targeted for completion in May.

The third phase, he said, had been commenced and should also be completed by December.

“In areas where the network has been refurbished or reinforced, we see the stability and reliability of the power supply,” he said.

The power cuts attributed to maintenance backlog, he said BPC had embarked on a project that entailed scoping and outsourcing of distribution maintenance works to contractors with adequate capacity in terms of equipment and manpower and these were mostly citizen companies.

To systematically clear the backlog area by area, he said the project was at procurement stage and implementation would commence in the coming financial year.

He said government would be supporting BPC financially to deliver the project, adding that in the interim while awaiting clearance of the maintenance backlog through outsourcing, the BPC was increasing its resources to quickly react to power cuts and reduce power restoration turn-around times.

He added that specific measures were put in place to improve reliability and availability of power supply in most affected areas.

For the long term to sustain reliable supply post clearing of the current maintenance backlog, he said BPC was reviewing its structures to ensure the system maintenance got carried out timely to avoid accumulation of scheduled maintenance.

On power infrastructure damage from excavations and theft of copper, the minister said BPC was liaising with relevant parties like Water Utilities Corporation, BOFINET and other telecommunications service providers, Botswana Police Service and scrap dealers to reduce power cuts attributed to underground cable damage from excavations and cable theft.

He said any customers that may have specific concerns regarding reliability of electricity supply should engage BPC directly or the ministry.

Further, he said the ministry had secured some funding to win some border villages from external supplier where BPC had no control in order to assist them with stable power.

On the other hand, Minister Moagi said there was no need to invest in alternative power supply therefore no programme policy was necessary because of the already existing Independent Power Producers (IPP) coming into the fall partaking in electricity generation and that would greatly aid power requirements.

He said the execution of integrated resource projects for electricity generation would bring in the necessary power required. 

MP for Maun East, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile had asked the minister to brief Parliament on the impact of the continuous electricity load shedding taking place country wide on households economy and small businesses profitability, particularly the causes of the continuous non-availability of electricity nationally. ends