The Jwaneng Solar Power Station is a 100 MW (130,000 hp) solar power station, under development in Botswana. Two Chinese companies and one Botswana independent power producer (IPP) formed a consortium that owns the project. Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), the national electricity utility company is the power off-taker, under a 25-year power purchase agreement.[1][2]
| Jwaneng Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Botswana |
| Location | Jwaneng, Southern District |
| Coordinates | 24°38′35″S 24°39′55″E / 24.64306°S 24.66528°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | H2 2024 Expected |
| Commission date | H2 2025 Expected |
| Construction cost | US$78.3 million |
| Owner | Sinotswana Green Energy |
| Operator | Sinotswana Green Energy |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 100 MW |
Location
editThe power station would be located in the town of Jwaneng, in the Southern District of Botswana.[1][2] Jwaneng is located approximately 171 kilometres (106 mi) west of Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana.[3]
Developers
editThe power station is under development by a consortium comprising two Chinese companies and one Botswana IPP. The shareholders in the business formed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) company to own, design, build, operate and maintain this energy infrastructure. The SPV company is called Sinotswana Green Energy.[1] The table below illustrates the shareholding in the SPV company.[4]
| Rank | Shareholder | Domicile | Percentage | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China Harbour Engineering | China | 55.0 |
[1][4] | |
| 2 | China International Water Resources and Hydropower | China | 30.0 |
[1][4] | |
| 3 | New Energy Company Proprietary Limited | Botswana | 15.0 |
[1][4] | |
| Total | 100.00 |
Costs
editThe cost of construction is reported as US$78.3 million (ZAR 1.4 billion). The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company and China Water and Electric Development Company. The same pair was awarded the operations and maintenance contract.[2][5]
Construction timetable
editConstruction is expected to start during H2 2024, with commercial commissioning anticipated during H2 2025.[1][6]
Other considerations
editAt a later stage it is expected that a 50 MW battery storage power station (BESS) will be installed at this power station to enable the station to supply power before the sun rises and after it sets.[5]
Botswana, which depends on 96 percent fossil-fuel sources for its electricity as of 2024, intends to increase its sources of renewable energy generation to 50 percent of demand by 2036. This power station assists in attaining that goal.[5][6]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Huaxia (14 August 2024). "Botswana to launch major solar photovoltaic power project with Chinese investment". Xinhua. Beijing, China. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b c TCSA (13 August 2024). "China to build vast solar farm in Botswana". TechCentral South Africa (TCSA). Johannesburg, South Africa. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Gaborone, Botswana And Jwaneng, Botswana" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d GlobalData (8 August 2024). "Power plant profile: Jwaneng Solar PV Project, Botswana". Power Technology. New York City. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Mbongeni Mguni (12 August 2024). "Botswana Power Awards 100-Megawatt Solar Deal to Chinese Group". BNN Bloomberg. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b ESI Africa (15 August 2024). "Botswana-solar-energy-plant-to-be-built-in-mining-town/". ESI Africa. Cape Town, South Africa.
External links
edit- Botswana Signs Agreement for First 100 MW Solar Power Station As of 15 August 2024.