How has the energy sector impacted Botswana's Economic Development Prospects?

Botswana has experienced some constraints in the energy sector in recent years, which to some extent have negatively impacted on the country’s economic development prospects. A devastating power supply and demand mismatch was encountered between the years 2008 and 2014, and this breached the country’s power supply security.

What is the energy policy in Botswana?

This Policy is calling for an increase in private sector development and the IEP will suggest various available options for financing of infrastructure projects and programs in the energy sector of Botswana. The Policy seeks to provide a conducive legal, fiscal and regulatory environment to attract investment into the energy sector.

Can Botswana generate electricity from coal?

However, Botswana has ample renewable energy potential to augment generation from coal. Currently, solar energy contributes insignificantly to electricity generation despite the abundance of the resource. There is also wind and coal bed methane potential which have not been fully explored.

Does Botswana need a capacity building program?

In order to facilitate an effective development of the energy sector, the government of Botswana is obligated to build the necessary levels of human resource capacity across the board. Various actor groups have varying capacity needs hence capacity building programs should be tailored according to these various needs.

What is the government's policy on wind power development?

POLICY STATEMENT – P11 The government will explore the potential for wind and facilitate wind power development 18 which exacerbates localised deforestation in some parts of the country. This policy puts some measures to ensure sustainable exploitation of the wood resource for energy.

Does Botswana have a guiding instrument for energy development?

A. Introduction Since 1985, Botswana’s energy sector developments have been guided by the Botswana Energy Master Plan (BEMP), which was last reviewed in 2002. Since this last review, developments have progressed without any primary guiding instrument for almost 15 years now.