31 Aug 2026

Botswana’s electricity import dependence is set to decline as the newly launched 100MW Mmadinare Solar PV Cluster strengthens domestic power generation and accelerates the country’s transition to renewable energy.

 Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, who was speaking at the official launch of plant , said the project would harness Botswana’s abundant solar resources to boost energy security and provide a reliable alternative to imported electricity.

“This project, along with other solar initiatives, has added over 209 MW of renewable energy to the national grid, supplying clean electricity to thousands of homes and businesses. These efforts are driving the country’s transition to a cleaner energy future and reducing reliance on imported electricity, benefiting the domestic economy,” she said.

Ms Kenewendo said the Mmadinare solar plant represented an important step towards achieving Botswana’s renewable energy targets while supporting the country’s commitments to addressing climate change through environmentally sustainable energy solutions.

She said the project demonstrated government’s commitment to increasing domestic electricity generation, diversifying the energy mix and making greater use of the country’s abundant solar resources.

“This project goes beyond just increasing our generation capacity; it showcases the government’s commitment to energy security, diversifying our energy mix, and transitioning to a cleaner future. Expanding solar energy is a key part of our renewable energy roadmap for 2030.

Projects like this are turning ambition into action by harnessing our abundant solar resources for a sustainable energy future,” she said.

The Mmadinare Solar Cluster is built and owned by Scatec ASA, a Norway-based independent power producer, and is directly connected to the national electricity grid under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

Ms Kenewendo said the project was expected to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the electricity sector while reducing the country’s vulnerability to challenges associated with electricity imports.

She added that the initiative would also encourage further investment in renewable energy as Botswana seeks to develop an electricity sector that is resilient, affordable and sustainable, while contributing to broader economic development and inclusion.

BPC Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Kgoboko, said the plant had already generated more than 243,288 MWh of electricity since becoming operational and feeding into the national grid.

He said the plant had also recorded excellent performance, with availability and reliability consistently averaging above 99 per cent since operations began.

Member of Parliament for Mmadinare Constituency and Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, described the 100MW solar PV plant as a groundbreaking achievement for both the community and the country.

Mr Motshegwa said the project would deliver significant socio-economic benefits through sustainable energy generation, job creation and stimulation of local economic activity.

He said the establishment of the plant would also create opportunities for further investment in renewable energy, promote environmental sustainability and contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of Mmadinare and surrounding areas. ENDS