Selebi-Phikwe Solar Power Station
| Selebi-Phikwe Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Botswana |
| Location | Selebi-Phikwe, Central District |
| Coordinates | 21°57′19″S 27°52′46″E / 21.95528°S 27.87944°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | December 2022 |
| Commission date | 2024 Expected |
| Owner(s) | Scatec |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 50 MW (67,000 hp) |
The Selebi-Phikwe Solar Power Station, [a] is a 50 MW (67,000 hp) solar power plant under development in Botswana. It is owned and is being developed by Scatec, the multinational energy conglomerate, whose headquarters are located in Oslo, Norway. The off-taker is Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).[1][2]
Location[edit]
The power station would be located in the town of Selebi-Phikwe, [b] in the Central District of Botswana. Selebi-Phikwe is located approximately 175 kilometres (109 mi) northeast of Serowe, the district headquarters.[3] This is approximately 146 kilometres (91 mi) southeast of Francistown, the second-largest city in the country.[4] Selebi-Phikwe is located about 400 kilometres (249 mi) northeast of Gaborone, the national capital and largest city of Botswana.[5]
Overview[edit]
The design calls for a ground-mounted solar farm, with capacity generation of 50 megawatts. Its output is to be sold directly to Botswana Power Corporation for integration into the national grid. The power is to be distributed to approximately 20,000 Botswana households. The power station will facilitate the country to forego the emission of 48,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.[1][2]
Developers[edit]
The solar farm is under development by Scatec, the Norwegian renewable energy Independent power producer (IPP). Scatec is also the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, asset manager as well as the operations and maintenance (O&M) company.[1][2]
Other considerations[edit]
As of September 2022, Botswana's installed electricity generation capacity was 450 MW. The country imports an additional 150 MW from neighboring South Africa. At that time national demand was estimated at 550 MW. The government of Botswana has plans to increase its installed capacity by developing new solar power stations, thereby achieving energy autonomy from South Africa. This power station is part of those efforts.[1][2]
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Jean Marie Takouleu (2 September 2022). "Botswana: Norway's Scatec signs for a 50 MWp solar park in Selibe-Phikwe". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d Anita Anyango (5 September 2022). "Scatec inks PPA deal for Selibe-Phikwe solar plant project in Botswana". Pumps-Africa.com. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Google (6 September 2022). "Road Distance Between Selebi=Phikwe, Botswana And Serowe, Botswana" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Google (6 September 2022). "Road Distance Between Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana And Francistown, Botswana" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Google (6 September 2022). "Road Distance Between Selebi-Phikwe And Gaborone, Botswana" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 6 September 2022.