· Tsaone Segaetsho
Facilitators of the Mmadinare 120 Solar Project, Scatec ASA, on Wednesday announced that 60 MW, the first phase of its 120 MW solar plant project, has commenced commercial operation.
The 120 MW Mmadinare Solar Cluster, located near the copper mining town of Selibe-Phikwe and over 200 kilometres from the capital, Gaborone, cost P1.5 billion, with an estimated EPC contract value to Scatec of P1.2 billion (USD 90 million).
The solar power plants are estimated to have been financed by P936 million of non-recourse project debt and equity from Scatec. The first 60 MW, now operational, was financed by Rand Merchant Bank in Botswana and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The Mmadinare Solar Project, wholly owned by Scatec, is subject to a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the state-owned Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).
Scatec CEO, Terje Pilskog, said he is pleased that the company was able to deliver the project within the planned timeframe. He stated that the first phase of the solar power plants was completed within budget, reinforcing their commitment to advancing renewable energy in the region.
Scatec EVP of Sub-Saharan Africa, Alberto Gambacorta, said:“Moving from development to construction and now to commercial operation has been highly rewarding. We are now ramping up construction of the second phase and look forward to its completion at the beginning of next year.”
Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets. The company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
