President Duma Boko says government is putting more effort into increasing local power generation to meet the country’s growing electricity demand and reduce reliance on imports.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA), Boko said Botswana’s current national power demand stands at 700 megawatts (MW) during peak times and 450 MW on average. He said about 65 to 70 percent of this demand is produced locally, while the remaining 35 percent is imported.
To close this gap, the President said government is working on several projects to boost both renewable and thermal energy production. He said 900 MW of solar power is being developed in Maun, Letlhakane, and Isang, while another 600 MW thermal power station is being built at Mmamabula.
“These projects will not only cover the energy shortage but also create capacity for exports,” he said. “By December 2025, more than 100 MW of solar power will be added to the national grid, and the Mmamabula thermal plant is expected to be completed by December 2027.”
Boko also said progress is being made at Morupule B Power Station, which has faced many challenges in the past. Three of its four units are already running, and the last one is expected to be ready by December 2025. Once completed, Botswana’s total thermal power generation will reach 720 MW, including Morupule A’s 120 MW.
He said government is also improving the power transmission network, including the North West Transmission Grid Phase 2 project, which will help deliver power to the northwestern parts of the country and support electricity exports.
Botswana has also applied to the I-Track Foundation to become an authorised issuer of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs). The President said this will open new opportunities for local developers and companies that want to meet global carbon reduction goals.
On fuel supply, Boko said Botswana Oil Limited is expanding the country’s fuel storage capacity to ensure enough supply in times of shortage. The goal is to increase reserves from 15 days to 90 days.
The Francistown Petroleum Depot is now 88 percent complete and will expand from 38 million litres to 98 million litres. The Gantsi Depot is 55 percent complete, with both expected to be finished in April and August 2026.
Boko said all these efforts are meant to make sure Botswana has a secure, reliable, and sustainable energy supply that can also support exports in the future.
