Botswana has set an ambitious goal to have renewable energy contribute 50% of its national energy mix and local power generation by 2030. This was revealed by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Hon Bogolo Kenewendo, during a parliamentary address outlining the country’s energy vision under National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12).
As part of NDP 12, Botswana aims to become a regional energy hub, targeting the development of 4.8 GW of electricity generation capacity to meet both domestic and regional demand.
To support its transition to a low-carbon economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Botswana is implementing this target through the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP).
The 50% renewable energy goal will primarily rely on solar, wind, and other renewable technologies, with a planned contribution of 1,938 MW from renewable sources by 2030.
Currently, renewable energy accounts for 8% of Botswana’s energy mix—up from just 1.3%. This increase is largely due to the government’s policy shift to open the energy market to private investment through the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) programme.
To date, 832 MW of renewable capacity has been contracted. Of this, three IPPs are already operational and supplying 54 MW. In total, 77 MW of renewable energy has been delivered, including a 23 MW contribution from the Rooftop Solar Programme.
A major contributor to the current output is the Mmadinare Solar Power Plant, which supplies 50 MW and represents the bulk of the current renewable energy generation.
The plant is currently undergoing expansion to add another 50 MW. In addition, another project under construction is the Jwaneng Solar Power Plant, which is also being developed by an independent power producer.
In addition to these ongoing developments, Botswana has earmarked several major renewable energy projects to accelerate its clean energy transition. Among them are the Letlhakane project, which will combine solar and wind power to generate 200 MW, and the Maun project, a 200 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) facility.
