AfrElec: Botswana: BPC, Scatec sign PPA for 50-MW solar photovoltaic plant construction

State-owned Botswana Power Corp. (BPC) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Norwegian renewable energy solutions provider Scatec for the construction of a 50-MW solar plant, the companies announced on August 31.

Scatec is one of the leading renewable energy solutions companies in the world with ongoing wind, hydro and solar power projects in Africa, Asia and South America.

The solar photovoltaic (PV) facility will be BPC's first utility-scale renewable energy project as Botswana looks to boost power supplies and increase clean energy shares, Reuters reports.

Scatec will build the plant in Selebi-Phikwe, a former mining town 400 km east of the capital Gaborone. Under the terms of the PPA, Scatec will finance, build, own and operate the solar plant and recoup its investment by selling electricity to BPC over 25 years.