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Faced with persistent generation challenges at its flagship Morupule B power station, Botswana is considering the construction of a new 615-megawatt coal-fired power plant. The move comes as the troubled Morupule B, a 600-megawatt facility built in 2012, continues to operate below capacity due to frequent breakdowns and ongoing maintenance.
Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo informed lawmakers that the government is exploring alternative base load generation options to avert a potential power crisis. “Should the Morupule B remedial works not yield the intended objectives,” she stated, “the government is considering a brownfield 615 megawatt base load coal-fired power plant with an implementation timeline of 18 to 24 months.”
The Morupule B power station, intended to be a cornerstone of Botswana’s energy independence, has been plagued by technical issues since its inception. These persistent problems have prevented the plant from operating at its full capacity, leading to concerns about the country’s energy security.
The decision to consider a new coal-fired plant reflects the government’s determination to address the ongoing energy challenges. However, it also highlights the complexities of relying on coal-fired power in an era of increasing focus on renewable energy and climate change mitigation.
This is not the first time Botswana has explored expanding its coal-fired power generation capacity. A previous attempt to add 600 megawatts to Morupule B failed in 2019 when the government declined to provide guarantees to the winning bidders. This earlier setback underscores the financial and logistical hurdles associated with large-scale energy projects.
The potential construction of a new coal-fired plant will undoubtedly spark debate about Botswana’s energy strategy. While it offers a solution to the immediate generation challenges, it also raises questions about the country’s long-term commitment to sustainable energy development. The government now faces the task of balancing the need for reliable energy with the imperative of transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
