Botswana has taken a major step in its energy transition with the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement for the development of a 500MW Maun Solar Photovoltaic plant alongside a 500MWh Battery Energy Storage System.
At the groundbreaking ceremony in Maun, President Duma Boko described the project as a turning point in the country’s shift from planning to execution in building a more secure, sustainable, and affordable energy system.
The project, being implemented through a government to government partnership with the Sultanate of Oman, will be executed by the Botswana Power Corporation in collaboration with Okavango Solar, and is expected to deliver 500MW of clean electricity to the national grid upon completion.
A central feature of the development is the 500MWh Battery Energy Storage System, which will allow excess solar power generated during the day to be stored and used during peak demand periods, thereby improving grid stability and strengthening energy security.
President Boko reiterated Botswana’s target to raise the share of renewable energy in its generation mix to 50 percent by 2030, up from about 8 percent currently, in line with its updated Integrated Resource Plan.
He noted that the project underscores the country’s ambition to position itself as a regional energy hub.
With more than 3,200 hours of sunshine annually and high solar irradiation levels, Botswana is well placed to scale up solar generation and potentially export power within the region.
The Maun Solar Project builds on ongoing developments in Mmadinare and Jwaneng, where two 100MW solar projects are progressing, with one already operational and the other nearing completion.
According to David Kgoboko, the project will be developed under an Independent Power Producer model and operated under a 30 year Power Purchase Agreement.
The initiative marks another significant move in Botswana’s efforts to advance climate action, strengthen energy security, and drive long term economic transformation.