London-based clean energy investment firm, Pash Global, and Botswana-based project developer, Tswana Renewables, have formed a 50-50 joint venture to construct several solar plants in Botswana, totaling 30 MW. The projects will require a $35 million investment, and the companies have already secured a power purchase agreement (PPA) from Travelodge, a hotel group in Gaborone, and Ramotswe, a plastic manufacturing company for water tanks. The solar plants, which range in capacity from 400 kW to several megawatts, will be built in areas like Gaborone, Ramotswe, and Lobatse.
According to Kofi Owusu Bempah, CEO of Pash Global, there are 25 to 35 individual grid-tied solar projects in the pipeline, with the goal of selling power to private off-takers. The projects are designed to meet the energy needs of businesses, and reduce their cost of power. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the projects will range between $0.08 and $0.10/kWh.
Botswana was chosen as a location for the solar plants due to its low renewable energy penetration, which enables direct negotiations with private businesses. The other off-takers will be disclosed once the PPAs are signed. Pash Global is also looking to collaborate with other partners in this project, as well as venture into other countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Mali, and South Africa.
The joint venture between Pash Global and Tswana Renewables is a step towards addressing the growing demand for clean energy and reducing carbon emissions. By investing in solar plants, businesses can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and improve their sustainability practices. Additionally, this joint venture can serve as a model for other countries in the region to follow, encouraging the growth of renewable energy across the continent.
