07 Mar 2024

Government is in full support of the global transition to clean energy with a view to contribute to the attainment of global goal of reducing global warming.

Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi, told delegates at a Botswana Biodiesel conference and expo on Wednesday that the support for clean energy was shown by government’s commitment to reducing emissions by 15 per cent by the year 2030.

“Our commitment to this green energy transition is grounded in the recognition of the urgent need to address climate change and reduce global warming. The approach proposed for implementation of the programme through private sector also provides an opportunity for ensuring a shared responsibility and benefit arising from their involvement in the biodiesel production programme,” he said.

Mr Moagi said recognizing that the shift to clean energy required a departure from continued use of fossil fuels government had already initiated measures to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency which were key to attaining a reasonable low carbon economy.

He said the strategic policies and investment strategies aimed to create a conducive environment and business landscape that provided for a hastened growth of renewable energy sources such as biodiesel, solar and wind among others.

He said the collaborative research undertaken by his ministry, the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) and the University of Botswana undertook a project dubbed “Biofuel Production Project” at a total cost of over P18million.

“This project has laid the foundation and an appropriate framework for the energy sector transformation through the biodiesel production process in order to achieve the most needed carbon neutrality. 

This journey has been characterized by notable achievements, experiences and challenges as well as breakthroughs,” he added.

He appealed to delegates to reflect on the accomplishments of the past years, the insights gained from the research which he said had far reaching implications.

“This platform is not merely a platform to present findings, it is an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of collaboration and innovation that has brought us to this point as well as mapping the most appropriate implementation strategy for effective implementation of the programme through private sector,” he said.

Giving an overview of the project, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minirals and Energy, Mr Pelaelo Khone, said the main objective of the project included resource assessment, research on blending methods, experimental biodiesel production, support for researchers, and socio-economic and environmental evaluation.

He said the biodiesel conference would serve as a pivotal platform to sharing the results of a four year research project as well as exchange insights and collectively strategise on the way forward in propelling the biodiesel sector in Botswana. ENDS