Palapye.com News Blog

source: BOPA
16 May, 2008

GABORONE - The public has been called on to minimise the impact of load shedding by efficient electricity use and conservation.

Addressing the nation over Radio Botswana on Wednesday, the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Ponatshego Kedikilwe, said the maintenance of the Cabora Bassa power plant in Mozambique was likely to worsen the situation that already existed.

Mr Kedikilwe said Botswana had been importing 75MW from the Mozambique power station since March and the maintenance which started last week was expected to be complete end of May.

Full export (75MW) is scheduled to resume on June 1 2008, he said.

Consequently, he said during this period, supply shortfalls of up to 85 megawatts were projected.

Our sources of supply, comprising Morupule Power station, imports from South Africa (Eskom) and Mozambique (HCB and EDM), continue to be restricted to such an extent that demand is forecast to outstrip supply during [continue reading]