Debswana develops 'first' solar plant

The photovoltaic (PV) plant will augment day time electricity usage at Debswana’s Corporate Centre, its headquarters along Airport Road, while also improving the energy mix of renewable and non-renewable energy.  According to Debswana, the move is also aimed at contributing to the reduction of the company’s carbon footprint. The 400kW produced is equivalent to about 80% of the Centre’s  current power requirements. The solar PV plant is anticipated to go online towards the end of 2021 and is connected to the building’s power supply point within the Centre’s campus.

According to the Project Engineer - Electrical, Karabo Mmokwa the project will increase energy efficiency and reduce usage from the national power grid from which Debswana currently taps 462kW for its Corporate Centre. “By harnessing the sun, reliance on power supply from the Botswana Power Corporation is cut by 80%, which translates to a huge cutback on Debswana’s carbon footprint,” he said.