BW Energy Bulletin

03/06/2026

Many people think this solar gen is too small for my freezer..
My solar Gen= 1500W
My Deep freezer= 12, 80W

So it's working 24/7 😂

03/06/2026

here we go Botswana Power Corporation

23/04/2026

Stanbic Bank Botswana LAUNCHES BLUE ROOTS WITH NATIONAL TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME

GABORONE – Stanbic Bank Botswana has launched Blue Roots, a sustainability initiative that will see 5,000 trees planted across Botswana in 2026, kicking off a three-year rollout aligned to the Bank’s Kgolo strategy. The launch, held at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and a ceremonial tree planting, formalising a working partnership focused on agriculture, research and enterprise development.

Blue Roots is designed as a client-linked platform, enabling businesses to participate directly in tree planting and ecosystem restoration, while unlocking opportunities in food production, carbon value and sustainable enterprise. Stanbic Bank Botswana has set a target of planting 22,500 trees by 2028, with a phased rollout of 5,000 trees in 2026, 7,500 in 2027 and 10,000 in 2028. The initiative forms part of the Bank’s broader Kgolo strategy (2026–2028), which prioritises growth that is both economically inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

The partnership with BUAN builds on work that began in 2023, where the Bank financed the establishment of a 2,470-tree fruit orchard to support the University’s commercialisation efforts, research programmes and student training. The orchard includes a mix of Valencia oranges, mangoes, naartjies, seedless crimson grapes, peaches and litchis, contributing to both food production and applied agricultural learning.

Speaking at the launch, Stanbic Bank Botswana Head, Risk Mmmoloki Letshwao said, “Blue Roots is how new strategy Kgolo shows up in the real economy. It connects our clients to practical opportunities in agriculture, sustainability and new revenue streams, while strengthening the ecosystems that those same businesses depend on.”

Beyond tree planting, Blue Roots will scale into a nationwide restoration programme, supporting watershed rehabilitation, biodiversity protection and the recovery of degraded land. The model is designed to integrate environmental outcomes with economic participation, positioning clients as active contributors to restoration while benefiting from emerging carbon and sustainability-linked opportunities.

For BUAN, the partnership strengthens its role as a hub for agricultural innovation and skills development, with direct benefits for students, researchers and the wider public through increased access to practical, income-generating agricultural systems.

As part of its ex*****on, Blue Roots will prioritise:

Expansion of fruit tree production to support food security and agro-enterprise
Development of client-linked carbon offset and sustainability projects
Restoration of key ecological areas in collaboration with local partners
Creation of income-generating opportunities within community ecosystems

Through Blue Roots, Stanbic Bank Botswana is positioning sustainability as a practical growth lever within Kgolo, linking finance, food systems, and environmental restoration into a single, scalable platform.

16/04/2026

FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES: WILDERNESS IMPACT CHALLENGE OFFERS USD 100 000 FOR IMPACT-LED INNOVATION



16 April 2026 – The countdown is on for the Wilderness Impact Challenge, with less than one month left to submit entries for this pioneering conservation and community development initiative. With a USD 100,000 prize available to bring the winning idea to life, Wilderness is calling on innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, system-builders and community leaders from around the world to put forward practical, scalable solutions that strengthen Africa’s conservation economy and support long-term coexistence between people and nature.



‘What we have found up to now, is that conservation progresses further when it is economically meaningful for the people closest to it,’ said Vincent Shacks, Wilderness Group Head of Impact. ‘This edition highlights practical, empowerment‑driven solutions that help local businesses grow, improve livelihoods, and integrate conservation into local economic systems. When communities gain opportunities through conservation, both people and wilderness benefit.’

The Challenge will award USD 100,000 to the initiative with the greatest potential for impact, enabling the implementation of the winning concept. The final selection will be made following a thorough review by Wilderness’ Impact team and an expert judging panel comprised of members of the Wilderness Trust board.

Rooted in Wilderness’ three core Impact pillars – Educate, Empower and Protect – the 2026 edition will focus on the Empower pillar, prioritising approaches that address underlying economic barriers to conservation, favouring durable, locally grounded models over short-term interventions. In this context, the conservation economy is defined as the network of people, enterprises, skills and systems that enable wild places to be protected while supporting secure, dignified livelihoods. This includes value chains, services, technologies, financial mechanisms and governance structures that connect nature to economic participation and allow communities to benefit directly from conservation-compatible activities.

The Challenge is open to individuals, teams and organisations worldwide whose solutions address real economic constraints within conservation landscapes. While proposals must demonstrate relevance to regions where Wilderness operates, initiatives should be designed for local implementation with the potential to scale and adapt across Africa.

‘Conservation must evolve in step with the realities on the ground,’ added Charles Douglas, Chairman of the Wilderness Trust. ‘By championing empowerment and economic participation, this Challenge provides a platform for ideas that are not only innovative, but implementable and built to last. We look forward to seeing the final wave of submissions and the impact they have the potential to unlock.’

With the deadline of 30 April 2026 fast approaching, this marks the final countdown call for entries. Individuals, teams and organisations are encouraged to seize the opportunity to bring forward solutions that can shape a more resilient and inclusive conservation economy across Africa.

For more information, watch the Impact Challenge video here, and to submit an entry, visit www.wildernesstrust.com/impact-challenge, or contact [email protected].

Ends

16/04/2026

🎉Join us on 25 April 2026 at Royal Aria Stadium, Tlokweng as Music N' Lifestyle brings together artists, creatives, food vendors, and tastemakers for a curated cultural experience!✨

Tickets are now available at Webtickets outlet in Riverwalk and selected Choppies and Spar outlets across the country.

13/04/2026

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗕𝗢𝗞𝗢 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗨𝗡 𝟱𝟬𝟬𝗠𝗪 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬

Upon returning from the Sultanate of Oman tomorrow, President Advocate Duma Boko will head to Maun on Wednesday to officiate the launch of the Maun 500MW solar and battery storage project in Botswana. The project is being undertaken by Omani company O-Green.

NAQAA Sustainable Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Omani state owned O-Green has been selected as the prefered Independent Power Producer (IPP) to design, finance, construct, own, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the 500 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant with an integrated battery energy storage system. The project will have a minimum operational life of 25 years.

The Maun 500 MW solar plant and battery storage project will become the largest renewable energy initiative ever undertaken in Botswana, surpassing the existing Mmadinare 120 MW solar cluster developed and operated by Norwegian firm Scatec ASA and the Jwaneng 100 MW currently under construction developed by Sinotswana backed by Chines state owned China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWE).

08/04/2026

FUEL LEVY SUSPENSION WON’T LOWER PUMP PRICES

The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has clarified that suspension of fuel levies will not reduce fuel prices.
CEO Dr Never Tshabang says the move is meant to cushion government against under-recoveries and prevent further price increases, not lower current pump prices.

The suspended levies include the Road Levy, Fuel Levy and Security of Supply Margin, while the National Petroleum Fund Levy remains in place.

The six-month measure took effect today following an announcement by President Duma Boko.

01/04/2026

📍

PRESS RELEASE
NO ELECTRICITY TARIFF ADJUSTMENT YET FOR 2026/27

It has come to our knowledge that there are reports circulating, especially on social media, that the 2026/27 electricity tariffs have been adjusted upward by 46%.

The public is informed that a decision has NOT yet been taken on the tariff application by BPC for the 2026/27 financial year. The Authority is still assessing this application taking into account the submissions made by stakeholders at the public hearing of 10 February 2026.

The public will accordingly be informed through official channels and platforms, about the 2026/27 electricity tariff adjustments, once a decision has been taken.

For further clarification, the Authority may be contacted at 5330932 or [email protected] .

31/03/2026

Jindal Energy Advances Botswana Power Project, Strengthens Partnership with BURS

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen stakeholder relations, the Jindal Mmamabula Energy Project (JMEP) delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) to formally introduce its Country Head Mr V. Subramanian and to provide an update on the progress of their pioneering energy project.

The Acting Commissioner General Mr Phodiso Valashia appreciated the engagement, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the Revenue Service and taxpayers.
“Engagements of this nature are critical in fostering mutual understanding and creating a conducive environment for business operations. As BURS, we remain committed to an open-door policy and structured stakeholder engagement,” he said.

Mr Subramanian expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with BURS and provided an update on the project’s progress. He said, “We are encouraged by the support and collaboration from BURS. While the project is targeted for completion in December 2028, we are actively working to accelerate timelines where possible.”

JMEP also acknowledged the role played by BURS in facilitating trade through the approved Staged Consignment Ruling (SCR), which has streamlined cross-border consignments critical to the project.

“The support from BURS, particularly in enabling the SCR, has been instrumental in ensuring operational efficiency as we advance the project,” Mr Segolo Lekau, noted.
As a company classified under the Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU), JMEP expressed its appreciation for the significant role played by BURS in service delivery, particularly acknowledging Ms Ontlametse B. Molefe (Acting Director, LTU), Ms Bontle Moalosi (Client Relationship Specialist, LTU) and Mr Molemi P**e (General Manager – Technical Services) for their continued support.
Jindal Energy, a subsidiary of Jindal Power Limited (JPL), is progressing its plans to develop a 600 MW Base Load Thermal Power Plant in Botswana, a project expected to significantly enhance the country’s energy security and support regional electricity exports.

The project will be implemented in two phases, beginning with a 300 MW plant scheduled for commissioning in 2026/27 to supply the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC). A second 300 MW phase will follow, with full project completion anticipated by December 2028.

Beyond infrastructure development, the project is expected to deliver significant socio-economic benefits, including the creation of approximately 5,000 jobs upon completion. Currently, about 1,500 people are employed, including graduates from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST).
During the engagement, BURS through Mr Oabile Simon (Acting Commisisoner – Domestic Taxes) also shared updates on ongoing legislative reforms aimed at modernising Botswana’s tax framework. These include the review of the Income Tax and VAT Acts, and the introduction of the Tax Administration Act.