The Republic of Botswana is facing a huge power supply deficit owing to diminished surplus generation capacity in the region and the growing electrical energy requirements in Botswana.  This has been compounded by the low availability of Morupule B power station. The base generation plants currently consist of Morupule “A” with an installed capacity of 132MW and Morupule “B” with 600MW. The available base generation capacity averages 260MW only from Morupule B power station since the Morupule “A” plant is undergoing refurbishment. The current peak demand stands at approximately 600MW and the supply gap is met through imports mainly from South Africa (Eskom) and some from Mozambique (EDM). The two emergency plants, Orapa 90MW and Matshelagabedi 105MW are also dispatched when the imports are not available or when they are too expensive. According to the twenty year national electricity demand forecast (2015 to 2035), it is predicted that the electricity demand will grow from a diversified base of approximately 606 MW in 2015 to an expected High Scenario of approximately 1, 523 MW in 2035. The Low Scenario will reach approximately 1184 MW ​and the most likely Scenario is expected to grow to an estimated value of 1,359 MW in 2035. This is based on the average growth rate per annum for the low, likely and high scenarios of 8%, 10% and 11% respectively.

To address the power supply challenges and to meet the future electricity demand, the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) in conjunction with the Ministry Of Minerals, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE) has embarked on a comprehensive electrical power system development strategy which includes among others, the development of a 100MW solar power plant two years from appointment of the preferred Independent Power Producer (IPP) joint venture partner. The additional power generation will be from a new solar power plant constructed, commissioned, owned and operated, by the IPP joint venture company. This initiative is in line with National Energy Policy goal of providing affordable, reliable and adequate supply of energy for sustainable development, as well as improving access to and efficient use of energy resources.

The objectives of the 100 MW Solar Power plant project are to:

   a)  Improve security and reliability of energy supply,

   b) Increase share of new and renewable sources of energy in the energy supply mix of the  country,

   c)  Offset the country’s carbon footprint

The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) would therefore like to engage companies or firms into a Joint Venture for the development, implementation and operation of a 100 MW Solar Power Plant with suitable storage capacity. The plant will be located in Botswana, and the new formed Joint Venture will sell its power to BPC through a Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA).

Therefore, Expression of Interest is invited from power generation companies /Independent Power Producers (IPPs) /power plant developers / Captive Power Producers for developing a solar power plant in a joint venture with BPC.

Through this EOI, Botswana Power Corporation intends to identify the suitable Power Project Partner willing to step into a Joint Venture Partnership.

Interested Companies must provide information indicating their capability, experience and qualification to perform the project as required by submitting the following;

1. Firm/Company profile
2. Description of similar assignments undertaken by the firm.
3. Reference solar generation projects (capacity, location, technology deployed)
4. Relevant experience

Expressions of Interest shall be disqualified from the short listing process and eliminated from further consideration for any of the following:-

i) the EoI is not deposited in the Tender Box as per instructions to bidders;

ii) the EoI is not responsive to any one or more of the requirements above;

The Corporation will shortlist (pre-qualify) companies based on assessment of the received expressions of interest using the information as requested. Short listed companies or firms would be invited to tender for the required services by responding to a detailed Request for Proposal (RfP).  Clarifications pertaining to this call for expression of interest may be obtained from Mr Edward Rugoyi at rugoyie@bpc.bw +267 3603250 or Cell: + 267 71300767 during office hours [07:00 to 16:00 hours Monday to Friday].

Expressions of Interest (EoI) should be deposited in the TENDER BOX situated in the Botswana Power Corporation, Supply Chain (Procurement) Office, Nkrumah Road,  Gaborone, Botswana by 14th June 2017 on or before 10:00 Hrs and should be marked as follows:-

• The language of submission shall be English;
• Prospective parties must submit their Expression of Interest in writing, and in two copies ONLY;

• At this stage, the EOI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future;
• The request for information does not commit BPC to contract for supply or service whatsoever;
• Further, BPC at this stage is not seeking proposals and is not accepting unsolicited proposals;
• The Corporation (BPC) is not paying for any information or administrative costs incurred in the response to the EOI; all costs associated with responding to this Expression of Interest are solely at the interested party’s expense.