Botswana Unveils National Energy Policy to Leapfrog into Industrial Hub of Alternative and Renewable Energy

Strategic Insights -

The Parliament of Botswana has adopted a new National Energy Policy, presented by Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Lefoko Maxwell Moagi. The policy aims to promote the development of alternative and renewable energy sources, making Botswana an industrial hub of energy. Moagi explained that the policy will guide the management and development of Botswana's energy sector, enhancing energy self-sufficiency and security of supply. The new policy will create a conducive environment for investment in the energy sector, adding value to export revenues, facilitating production in other sectors, and creating employment within the energy sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Energy Policy (NEP) aims to guide the management and development of Botswana's energy sector, promoting the penetration of new and renewable energy sources into the country's energy mix.
  • The policy is expected to create a conducive environment for investment in the energy sector, adding value to export revenues, facilitating production in other sectors, and creating employment within the energy sector.
  • Botswana has abundant coal resources, estimated at about 212 billion tonnes, with ongoing exploration of coal bed methane (CBM) resources.
  • The country receives over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year, making solar energy a promising renewable energy resource for Botswana.
  • Reasonable wind speeds exist within the country, with the highest wind resources potential located in the South-West, Central, and Eastern parts of the country.
  • Botswana has theoretical biomass energy potential of 32 million GJ per year, with the use of livestock residues (cow-dung) offering the highest practical opportunity for energy production.
  • The country is highly reliant on imports of refined petroleum products, with a large amount of liquid fuels supply coming from South Africa.
  • The provision of energy services is capital-intensive and heavily reliant on technology, requiring innovation in delivery methods.
  • There is a need for coordination of research efforts in the energy sector, and the NEP seeks to facilitate development and establishment of academic/industry strategic research alliances.

Statistics:

  • Botswana has coal resources estimated at about 212 billion tonnes.
  • Estimated coal bed methane (CBM) resources stand at 196 trillion cubic feet.
  • The country receives over 3,200 hours of sunshine per year, with an average insolation on a flat surface of 21MJ/m^2.
  • Reasonable wind speeds exist in the South-West, Central, and Eastern parts of the country, with average wind speeds above 7m/s.
  • Botswana has theoretical biomass energy potential of 32 million GJ per year.
  • The country consumes about 1.2 billion litres per annum of petroleum products, with about 20 million litres of aviation fuels per annum.

Sources:

  • Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Lefoko Maxwell Moagi
  • Parliament of Botswana
  • Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI)
  • University of Botswana (UB)
  • Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)
  • Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN)
  • Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH)
  • The National Energy Policy (NEP) document