12 Feb 2014

The Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila has told Parliament that to date there has not been much progress in sourcing funds for mini grids due to global recession.

He said government only received funding to build a pilot mini grid from a partnership between the global environment Fund/ United Nations development Programme through the renewable energy based rural electrification for Botswana (RE Botswana) Programme.

Mr Mokaila said the pilot mini grid at Sekhutlane was under construction and was expected to be complete before the end of 2014/15 financial year. He said so far there were no funds to replicate the project to different constituencies.

MP for Shoshong, Mr Phillip Makgalemele had asked the minister to state progress made in soliciting funds from international donors to build several photovoltaic power stations (mini grids) where grid electricity was inaccessible. He also wanted the minister to state how these secured donor funds had been distributed to different constituencies. ENDS