Description

Botswana electricity industry has challenges in meeting its energy needs. Firstly, the country can hardly meet its peak power demand and, secondly, the country relies heavily on power supply from its neighbouring countries. However, southern Africa is experiencing an increasing power supply deficit, leading to shortages of power for trading. After a slump in 2009, which was due to the global economic crisis and a consequent drop in diamond exports, Botswana electricity demand recovered strongly in 2010. Despite stagnating in 2011, demand is expected to continue growing from 2012 to 2020. Hence, Botswana needs to expand its power generation capacity, as well as reinforce its transmission and distribution network.