21 Feb 2024

The Ministry of Minerals and Energy in collaboration with Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) will officially launch the Mochudi 132/33kV substation today (FEB 22), at Mochudi substation site.

The launch, according to a press release from the ministry, is expected to be conducted by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The release states that the project comprises construction of 132/33kV transmission bulk supply substation in Mochudi and a 37.2km 132Kv overhead line from the existing Phakalane 132/11Kv substation to the newly constructed Mochudi 132/33Kv substation.

It says the project was undertaken to cater for the increasing electricity demand in Mochudi and surrounding villages.

“This project therefore improves the quality and reliability of power supply in Mochudi and its environs,” says the release.

 “The substation will also facilitate transfer of Kgatleng River villages of Mabalane, Sikwane, Mmathubudukwane, Ramonaka and Malolwane from the South African grid Eskom grid to the Botswana grid.”

The release said this is in line with the objective to eradicate dependency on neighbouring countries for supply of electricity to villages along the border.

Meanwhile, residents of river villages are beaming in joy following electricity connectivity of their villages to the national power grid.

Kgosi Michael Balebetse of Mmathubudukwane said in an interview that residents heaved a sigh of relief when they started accessing electricity from the local grid early December, 2023.

“For the first time in many years, life has improved as electricity imported from Eskom was no longer reliable like before,” he said.

Kgosi Balebetse said with increased load shedding in the neighbouring South Africa, people lived in uncertainty of power, adding that most businesses that sold perishables had closed down.

He was hopeful that closed businesses would reopen especially that most resident eke living through horticultural produce and farming.

“I can safely say power supply has been generally restored to normalcy and we now experience normal power cuts and mostly from heavy storms or rain,” he said.

Kgosi Balebetse said he was hopeful that this new state of affairs would be sustained if BPC properly manages its outputs and facilities.

Another resident of Mabalane who own a poultry and piggery farm, Ms Sae Ntogwa said connection to the national grid had restored normal transmission of electricity to their area.

“We are delighted that power outages were resolved much quicker than we had anticipated because we suffered for the longest time since Eskom has its own deficit problems.”

She said connection into the national power grid was a huge relief to her business as they had to scale down production of their poultry that incubates thousands of eggs owing to Eskom’s unprecedented load shedding.

Another resident of Sikwane, Mr Lucky Moreetsi, said following decades of reliance on South Africa’s Eskom, life had been restored to normalcy as they could safely plan without fear that their perishables would rot.

He said since the connection in December, most businesses started to resuscitate and that the villagers had an exciting festive season as most household appliances were safe because initially they were damaged by rampant power cuts.

Mr Moreetsi said power cuts during summer were more frustrating, and that even worst was lack of information about the power cuts from Eskom.

“Life has greatly improved,” he said. “We no longer have problems that we experienced especially when Eskom started rationing electricity supply.” ends