Energy in Botswana
Encyclopedia
Energy in Botswana is a growing industry
with tremendous potential.
Most electric power is generated thermally in installations run by the Botswana Power Corporation
, a public enterprise established in 1970. Electric generating capacity consists of the 132 MW Morupole coal-fired plant
. The 60 MW coal-fired plant at Selebi-Phikwe has been closed. Total capacity in 2002 stood at 132 MW. Production of electricity in that same year totaled 930 GWh. Fossil fuels were used exclusively. Consumption of electricity totaled 1.989 TWh. Coal production in 2002 consisted entirely of the bituminous type and totaled 992,000 tons. Coal is mined solely at Morupule Colliery
by Debswana
, mostly for the generation of electricity. The government is considering constructing a coal-fired power plant at the same coal field, which would be designed to export power to South Africa
.
Several companies are prospecting for oil
, but none had been discovered as of 2002. However, Amoco
(now BP
) has studied the possibility of coalbed methane
extraction.
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
with tremendous potential.
Most electric power is generated thermally in installations run by the Botswana Power Corporation
Botswana Power Corporation
Botswana Power Corporation is a state owned company for electrical power generation, transmission and distribution in Botswana. It was established in 1970 and is currently the only electricity supplier in the country. BPC produced an estimated 1,052 GWh in 2007, while demand was estimated to...
, a public enterprise established in 1970. Electric generating capacity consists of the 132 MW Morupole coal-fired plant
Morupule Power Station
Morupule Power Station is a coal-fired power station near Palapye, Botswana. Run by the Botswana Power Corporation , it comprises four 33 MW air-cooled units...
. The 60 MW coal-fired plant at Selebi-Phikwe has been closed. Total capacity in 2002 stood at 132 MW. Production of electricity in that same year totaled 930 GWh. Fossil fuels were used exclusively. Consumption of electricity totaled 1.989 TWh. Coal production in 2002 consisted entirely of the bituminous type and totaled 992,000 tons. Coal is mined solely at Morupule Colliery
Morupule Colliery
The Morupule Colliery is a coal mine located in Palapye, Botswana, and owned and operated by Debswana, a partnership between the government of Botswana and De Beers...
by Debswana
Debswana
Debswana Diamond Company Ltd, or simply Debswana, is a giant mining company located in Botswana, and is the world's leading producer of diamonds by value. Debswana is a joint venture between the government of Botswana and the South African diamond company De Beers; each party owns 50 percent of...
, mostly for the generation of electricity. The government is considering constructing a coal-fired power plant at the same coal field, which would be designed to export power to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Several companies are prospecting for oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, but none had been discovered as of 2002. However, Amoco
Amoco
Amoco Corporation, originally Standard Oil Company , was a global chemical and oil company, founded in 1889 around a refinery located in Whiting, Indiana, United States....
(now BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
) has studied the possibility of coalbed methane
Coalbed methane
Coalbed methane or Coal Bed Methane, coalbed gas or coal mine methane is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. In recent decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada, and other countries...
extraction.