01 Aug 2024

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has started using concrete poles in its infrastructure to replace the wooden poles, Parliament heard Wednesday.

Answering a parliamentary question, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi said due to the high cost of concrete poles, the project was implemented in phases with the first phase having started in the swampy areas which were prone to flooding and would continue to other areas to include those prone to veld fires.

Mr Moagi said installation of concrete poles along critical lines such as the Nata-Gweta 33KV line and Mahalapye to Shoshong line demonstrated the proactive measures being taken by the ministry and BPC to address the challenges posed by veld fires and other issues in certain areas of Botswana.

“The corporation decided to cancel Expression of Interest 3S31/19 and pursue a different strategy for its implementation,” he said.

He added that despite BPC being the primary consumer of concrete poles and cross arms in Botswana, the decision was made to involve the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), a government entity responsible for investment promotion, in driving the initiative.

He explained that the rationale behind such decision was to provide support to qualifying potential investors by offering funding and mentoring services.

Such strategic shift, he said had proven successful, as numerous local companies had expressed interest and were progressing at different stages of construction.

“This development indicates a promising future for the local production of concrete poles,” he said.

“This initiative is expected to stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities and ensure consistent supply of concrete poles tailored to the specific requirements of Botswana’s electricity network which BPC would support in a competitive bidding to any local supplier.

In the lead, he said was a local company which had already set up a manufacturing plant in the greater Gaborone area and was undergoing concrete poles certification process with Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS).

“Thereafter, the company will be better placed to compete as a local supplier to BPC through its tender and procurement process,” he added.

Member of Parliament for Ghanzi North, Mr John Thiite, had asked the minister to, among others, state when the ministry would consider using concrete poles in veld fire prone areas as a long-term solution taking into account their superior fire rating and other factors compared to timber and steel poles and also to elaborate on the Expression of Interest (EOD 3531/19) concerning the establishment of a manufacturing plant for the production, supply and delivery of concrete poles and cross arm to Botswana Power Corporation. Ends