What is Botswana's energy policy?

A prominent objective of the Policy is to achieve a substantive penetration of new and renewable energy sources in the country’s energy mix; the goal is to attain adequate economic energy self-suficiency and security, as well as positioning Botswana to fulfil its vision in becoming a regional net exporter, especially in the electricity sector.

Does Botswana need a regulatory framework?

Progress is required in strengthening the regulatory framework; the National Energy Policy (Government of Botswana, 2020b) launched in December 2020 take into account new developments in the energy space. In December 2020, the Department of Energy launched an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity.

Does Botswana need a capacity building program?

In order to facilitate an effective development of the energy sector, the government of Botswana is obligated to build the necessary levels of human resource capacity across the board. Various actor groups have varying capacity needs hence capacity building programs should be tailored according to these various needs.

Does Botswana have an Integrated Resource Plan?

Botswana has also issued an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity generation over the next 20 years, covering renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaic, wind, concentrated solar thermal, and batteries for energy storage.

How has the energy sector impacted Botswana's Economic Development Prospects?

Botswana has experienced some constraints in the energy sector in recent years, which to some extent have negatively impacted on the country’s economic development prospects. A devastating power supply and demand mismatch was encountered between the years 2008 and 2014, and this breached the country’s power supply security.

Can waste-to-energy be developed in Botswana?

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, a feasibility study is ongoing regarding the development of waste-to-energy in Botswana. Current findings indicate gaps related to the absence of Integrated Waste Management Plans and challenges related to revenues and costs.