31 Aug 2025

The Jwaneng 100MW Solar Photovoltaic Project, which commenced last month, is scheduled to be completed by July 8, 2026. 

Undertaken through a Chinese Consortium, Sinotswana Green Energy, the project is a key development in Botswana’s energy transition to diversify the country’s energy sources and increase renewable energy generation. The developer has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with government, through the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

Addressing Jwaneng full council meeting recently, the project manager, Mr Kenneth Syanjibu noted that in addition to contributing toward the country’s aspiration of transitioning to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, once operational, the project would also assist in balancing the power network in the Southern region of Botswana.

He noted that to date, the cumulative progress on the designs was at 80 per cent, with most of the basic designs complete. He also said procurement of major equipment packages, which included PV brackets, inverters, transformers and cables was done, and the installation of solar brackets and substation buildings were 31.4 per cent and 30 per cent complete, respectively.

Additionally, Mr Syanjibu said the project currently employed a total of 260 people, 231 of which were Batswana while the remaining 39 were Chinese. He noted that even though the number was expected to increase during the construction phase due to the works involved, they would significantly decrease during the operation and maintenance phase.

“We are expecting the current numbers to go up because we are starting to pull the cables inside the plant in the next two months, and this requires a lot of people. We have also noted that the number of women employed is low, hence we have advised that they should be given more opportunities,” he explained.

He noted that part of their agreement was that there should be skills transfer to Batswana, and therefore the contractor had an obligation to train different employees in various areas. He said that would empower the local people and ensure sustainability for the project and future needs. He also highlighted that the project was expected to benefit the local communities in various aspects through social responsibility investment.

The councillors appreciated the economic opportunities created by the project, which they said had both direct and indirect benefits, particularly to the informal sector.  Nominated councillor, Ms Joyce Medupe underscored the need to align the remuneration to the P4,000 minimum living wage that government aspired to achieve. She also called for sustainable social responsibility investment projects as compared to once-off food hampers donations.

Ngami ward councillor, Mr Bankinyana Montsiemang said he was optimistic that once complete, the plant would significantly augment the national energy supply, thereby reducing electricity costs incurred by consumers. He also said the project was a key development that would ensure sustainable energy generation, with less carbon emissions.

Raphalane ward councillor, Mr Lebogang Peloyamotho said the skills transfer to Batswana was a good initiative, adding that the contractor should collaborate with Jwaneng Technical College to engage students throughout all the stages of the project. He noted that such would create a skills base, which would be instrumental for the maintenance of the plans after the lease had lapsed. He also called for the deployment of highest safety standards to protect the workers.

The mayor, Mr Ronica Ntsimako applauded the contractor for creating opportunities for the local communities in various areas of the project. He also said their social responsibility investment should consider installing solar panels in the councillors’ office containers, which were donated by Red Path towards effective service delivery. ENDS