Botswana - Morupule B Generation and Transmission Project

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The objectives of the Morupule B Generation and Transmission Project are to support Botswana in: (i) developing reliable and affordable supply of electricity for energy security; (ii) promoting alternative energy resources for low-carbon growth; and (iii) building its institutional capacity in the energy sector. There are three components to the project. The first component of the project is Morupule generation expansion. This component, to be implemented by Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), includes three distinct and integral infrastructure subcomponents as follows: the first sub-component is Morupule B power station involves construction of a 600 MW coal-fired power station, adjacent to the existing Morupule A Power Station near Palapye, in the eastern part of the country; the second sub-component is transmission system involves construction, supply and installation of: (a) Morupule Phokoje 400 kV transmission line (102 kilometer (km) and associated equipment; and (b) Morupule-Isang 400 kV transmission line (215 km) and associated equipment; and the third sub-component of the project is water supply system involves construction of: (a) pipeline from the new Paje well field to the Morupule B Power Station (80 km) for backup supply; and (b) power supply line for the new Paje well field. The second component of the project is alternative energy development. This component will support diversification of Botswana's economy through a low-carbon growth strategy. Given Botswana's energy endowment, its cleaner fuel options are to develop coal-bed methane and to explore solar thermal, while examining prospects for carbon capture and storage as a means to mitigate climate change impacts. The third component of the project is institution and capacity building. This component covers project implementation assistance, institutional and capacity building for BPC and the Ministry of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources (MMEWR).