Botswana's energy production

• Official Name: Republic of Botswana.

Summary: Botswana is one of the wealthiest and most stable countries in Africa. Most energy generation comes from coal. Oil and solar power are being explored; however, the country will likely continue to depend on coal.

Botswana, located in central southern Africa, is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. According to the World Factbook, in 2024, the country had a population of only about 2.5 million and was sparsely populated. It has transformed itself from a poor nation at independence (1966) to one of the fastest-growing nations in the world in terms of per capita income. Its citizens are now considered middle-income, similar to those of Mexico and Turkey.

In 1970, the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) was developed under an act of Parliament as a public enterprise. BPC was designated as responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity within the country, as approved by the Ministry of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources. Botswana has two power plants, Morupule A and B, that supply most of the country's electricity.

Botswana's coal deposits are unexploited. Although additional mines were planned, by 2025, Botswana had only two coal mines in operation: the Morupule Colliery and the Masama coal mine.

Beginning in 1975 with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency, the Rural Electrification Program was initiated to connect villages and rural areas to the national grid. Since the 1970s, funding has also been provided by the Danish International Development Agency and the government of Botswana to continue expansion to villages and rural areas. According to the World Factbook (2025), in 2022, only 25 percent of those in rural areas had electricity, compared to 95.5 percent of those in urban areas.

Supply and Demand

Botswana generated 758,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2023, with an estimated consumption of 3.879 billion kilowatt-hours, according to the World Factbook. The gap between supply and demand was filled by imported power, which was 1.923 billion kilowatt-hours in 2023. As of 2023, the country had no oil reserves and no natural gas production.

In 2023, the coal reserves in southern Botswana were estimated to be more than 1.66 billion metric tons. This amount would be suitable for more than 99 percent of electricity generation in the country. However, in 2023, the country produced only 2.242 million metric tons and consumed 1.351 million metric tons. By 2025, Botswana had nearly completed Lesedi, its coal bed methane gas project. This gas field in central Botswana was expected to help close the country's power deficit.

Despite expansion of the energy sector, availability of services, and commitment by the government to provide energy access as a means for development and improving quality of life, individual energy consumption is low. Although power is available throughout the country, quality and quantity are limited and often unable to meet the demands of the people. According to World Economics, Botswana was the 120th worst carbon dioxide emissions emitter globally in 2019.

Projections for Future Energy Generation and Consumption

Ranked as one of Africa’s least corrupt countries by Transparency International, Botswana can boast substantial opportunities for further investment in the country’s energy production. In addition to the government of Botswana, a number of regional and international stakeholders are seeking to develop coal-mine methane and coal-bed methane as a means for meeting greater demand throughout the region.

There is investment in other renewable resources, such as building dams for hydropower, but technology and supply are limited and not expected to be able to meet the demand of the people.

Bibliography

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"Botswana." CIA World Factbook, 17 Sept. 2025, ww.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/#people-and-society. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.

"Botswana Country Commercial Guide." International Trade Administration, 28 Feb. 2024, www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/botswana-energy. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.

Botswana Power Corporation 2017 Annual Report, 2017, www.bpc.bw/about-us/Annual%20Reports/2017%20BPC%20ANNUAL%20REPORT.pdf. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.

"Botswana's Carbon Emissions." World Economics, www.worldeconomics.com/ESG/Environment/Carbon-Emissions/Botswana.aspx. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.
Martins, Eze. "Botswana’s Gas-to-Power Plant to Connect National Grid in 2025." The Electricity Hub, 7 Nov. 2024, theelectricityhub.com/botswanas-gas-to-power-plant-to-connect-national-grid-in-2025/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.

“Mmamabula Energy Project.” Jindal Africa, 2016, www.jindalafrica.com/countries/botswana/mmamabula-energy-project. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.