Botswana - The Morupule B Power Project

The Morupule B project is adopted as the least cost solution to guarantee electricity supply self sufficiency facing the many challenges in the energy sector in Botswana. The project consists in the construction of a 600 MW (4 x 150 MW) coal fired power plant and associated transmission infrastructure. The Morupule B plant should be located adjacent to the existing Morupule A plant, at a mine-mouth. It is of great strategic importance for Botswana as it will contribute to national energy security and improving the competitiveness of the national economy. The project costs, excluding custom taxes and duties, financing fees and Interest During Construction (IDC) on the ICBC-SB loan, are estimated at US$ 1,394.3 million (UA 905.4 million) based on cost estimates as at June 2009. It comprises five components: (i) Power Plant (including the fuel for commissioning); (ii) Water Supply System Development; (iii) Power Transmission System and Substations; (iv) Technical Assistance; and (v) Project Supervision & Management.