Botswana Power Trading Plan, Imports at 35%
Botswana's energy regulator said on Monday 19 October that a bill creating power trading and private transmission lines goes to Parliament in November. The post Botswana Power Trading Plan, Imports at 35% appeared first on The Rio Times .
Botswana's energy regulator announced on 19 October 2026 that amendments to the BERA Act will go to Parliament in November. The changes will recognize independent transmission providers and introduce Botswana power trading. Currently, Botswana imports around 35% of the electricity it uses, with peak demand at approximately 700 megawatts and yearly consumption at about 4,800 gigawatt-hours.
The Morupule A and B coal plants generate an average of 400 megawatts, while solar projects aim to reduce that dependency. Private investment in power lines and trading could alleviate the fiscal burden on Botswana's budget, especially since the country's finances are tight following a drop in diamond sales and a downgrade by credit rating agency Moody’s.
The bill has not been published, leaving open questions about licence terms for private line owners and foreign ownership of lines.
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