Name and Location
Botswana peaking-to-midmerit power plant.

Project Description
The project will see the development of a peaking-to-midmerit power plant with a minimum capacity of 250 MW.

The project includes the production of coal-bed methane and the construction of a power plant. Of the 250 MW, 90 MW will be supplied to the 220-kV Orapa substation, in Botswana, of which 45 MW will be supplied to the mining industry. The remaining 200 MW to 225 MW to be generated will be supplied to the rest of the country.

Value
$400-million.

Duration
The commercial operation of the plant is expected by June 2010.

Client
The project is an initiative by the Botswana Power Corporation.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Karoo Sustainable Energy (KSE) (independent power producer (IPP)) and Group Five and Single Destination Engineers, and General Electric (gas turbines).

Latest Developments
Botswana-based company KSE has been appointed as the IPP to develop the plant (engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract).

South African engineering and construction company Group Five's power division and local engineering firm Single Destination Engineers has been awarded the EPCM.

KSE will be awarding contracts for the 200 km of gas pipeline, the compressor stations and all the delivery systems before year-end.

The project is expected to create 200 to 250 jobs during the different phases of construction. For the first two years, technicians from General Electric, which is supplying the gas turbines for the project, will be employed on operations and maintenance until the necessary skills have been developed and passed down to KSE's Botswana engineers, who will then be responsible for all operations.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
KSE, tel +267 395 3609 or fax +267 392 4949.