Written by Oaitse Mathala | The Botswana Gazette

Norconsult Africa (Pty) Ltd Managing Director, Tore Horvei has said lack of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Botswana is the main reason for limited investment in the power sector. He said this in his presentation at the two-day Botswana Resource Sector Conference held at the Gaborone International Convention Center last week.

Horvei said Southern Africa’s economy and development are constrained by energy challenges such as supply shortfalls, which are due to underdeveloped energy infrastructure in the region. He said access to electricity remains low and unequal, supply is unreliable and power costs are high and raising.

Though IPPs are gaining ground in other countries in the region like South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, they are still lacking in Botswana. Botswana Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer Charles Siwawa says IPPs can alleviate power challenges that the country is experiencing.

Siwawa told Gazette Business that there are no IPPs in Botswana because companies are still doing feasibility studies on producing power in the country. “The legislation is there that allows independent producers other than the Botswana Power Corporation. The process to produce a study takes quite a long time and have to ensure that what is required for the production can be achieved sustainably,” he said.

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