Botswana met 86 per cent of its electricity demand through local generation in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, up from 67 per cent during the same period last year.
The improvement has reduced the country’s dependence on imported power as Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) seeks to strengthen its finances and expand domestic generation.
BPC chief executive officer David Kgoboko said the gains would provide a foundation for the corporation’s new five-year strategy, Atlega 2026–2031, launched today.
The strategy targets revenue growth from about P9 billion to P25 billion over the next five years, alongside improvements in electricity supply and greater participation in the regional power market.
Among the programmes being expanded is rooftop solar, which allows customers to generate their own electricity while remaining connected to the national grid.
Kgoboko said the programme’s capacity had increased from 40MW to 75MW, with about 30MW already installed and operational.
“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage each and every one of you to take advantage of this programme as it helps reduce the cost of electricity,” he said.
Under Atlega, BPC plans to expand renewable energy generation, improve the reliability of the national grid and explore opportunities to trade electricity with other countries in the region.
“BPC’s longer term goal is to become a competitive regional power player and export electricity when there is enough surplus power,” Kgoboko said.
The strategy also seeks to give local businesses a greater role in BPC’s supply chain. Kgoboko said the corporation wanted Botswana companies to manufacture and supply equipment and components that are currently imported.
BPC also plans to work with universities, research institutions, innovators and private companies to develop local energy solutions.
The launch marked the corporation’s first ISO certifications, covering environmental management under ISO 14001:2015 and occupational health and safety under ISO 45001:2018.
“These certifications are an important milestone for the corporation. They will strengthen BPC’s focus on worker safety and environmental protection as it enters its next phase,” Kgoboko said.
