A new report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) has confirmed that Botswana has considerable opportunity to enhance its domestic energy security and increase access to modern energy services.

The agency says the country’s significant wind and solar resources, as well as abundant biomass residues, can be effectively harnessed for power generation, should policy, regulation and investment be aligned with that goal.

The report, titled ‘Renewables Readiness Assessment: Botswana’ and developed in cooperation with the country’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, complements the recently adopted Botswana National Energy Policy.

A prominent objective of this policy is to substantially increase the penetration of renewable energy in Botswana. The country aims to source 15% of its energy from renewables by 2030, and 36% by 2036.

As at the end of 2020, Botswana had 6 MW of installed renewables capacity.

About a third of Botswana’s population currently lacks access to electricity and the country’s power system is characterised by unreliable power supplies and high service costs.

To meet its peak power demand, Botswana relies on coal and imported petroleum products from South Africa and imports up to 15% of its electricity from neighbouring countries.

“The Irena study augments ongoing national efforts to achieve the policy’s stated energy goals,” says Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Minister Lefoko Moagi.

For the country to realise its renewables potential, Irena deems it necessary that the country’s government revise the tariff-setting structure, define a clear regulatory framework to manage risks involved in private-sector participation, perform a location-specific prefeasibility study for renewable-energy generation and streamline permitting processes and look into the capability of the grid to absorb power from variable renewable-energy sources.

The agency further suggests that the Botswana government integrate rural electrification strategies into a single, comprehensive document and consolidate rural electrification activities, support the growth of solar rooftop and home systems through strong incentives and policy instruments, and develop local human capacities along the project value chain.

The report also calls for the operationalisation of the Botswana Energy Regulation Authority (BERA), guaranteeing a sustainable and independent budget, as well as sufficient political independence and capacity to hold utilities to account for their financial and operational performance.

“A transparent grid code could be established under the BERA to govern all current and future electricity generators, ensuring renewable electricity is given priority grid access, and that its dispatch is based on marginal costs,” Irena states.