The World Bank has approved a loan operation to support the development of renewable energy in Botswana with the launch of the RESA project.
Botswana is focusing on renewable energy, leading to a significant transformation of the country's energy landscape by promoting renewable solutions and improving access to electricity. The newly approved loan from the World Bank will finance necessary investments in the grid and the country’s first 50 MW battery energy storage system.
This will allow the initial wave of renewable energy production to be integrated and managed within the grid. Additionally, it will support the Botswana government's ongoing efforts to enhance energy access by funding the extension of the grid to rural villages and improving electricity services in southern districts.
According to the financial institution, Botswana possesses vast untapped resources for renewable energy.
The country has set a target to increase the share of renewable energy to 30% of its energy mix by 2030 and to 50% by 2036, with an initial wave of 335 MW renewable energy projects currently under development.
Furthermore, Botswana has secured a loan from the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund, totaling $125.5 million, to help develop its first large-scale 50 MW battery energy storage system.
This energy storage system, a key project of the government's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), will support the wave of renewable energy production in Botswana and ensure a "smooth integration" into the national grid.
