Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Electricity generation up 21.1% in Q2 2024

Botswana’s electricity generation saw a notable increase in the second quarter of 2024, with the Index of Electricity Generation (IEG) rising to 190.2 from 157.1 during the same period in 2023, translating to a 21.1 percent year-on-year increase. A quarter-on-quarter analysis shows a modest growth of 1.0 percent from the index of 188.2 recorded in the first quarter of 2024.

Statistics Botswana reports that the physical volume of electricity generated rose by 21.1 percent (139,174 MWH), from 660,349 MWH in Q2 2023 to 799,523 MWH in Q2 2024. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, production increased by 1.0 percent (8,256 MWH) from 791,267 MWH recorded in Q1 2024. This increase is attributed to the improved performance of the Morupule A and B power stations, which were responsible for a staggering 97.9 percent of the total electricity generated in the country during the quarter under review.

The Orapa emergency power plant also contributed to local electricity generation, albeit at a lower 1.8 percent share, while the newly integrated solar power stations at Bobonong, Phakalane, and Shakawe made their debut contributions, adding 0.3 percent to the national grid. This marks a growing commitment to diversifying Botswana’s energy mix and increasing reliance on renewable energy sources.

However, the report notes a 17.8 percent decrease in the physical volume of imported electricity, which dropped from 464,603 MWH in Q2 2023 to 381,764 MWH in Q2 2024. Quarter-on-quarter, electricity imports declined by 6.9 percent (28,255 MWH) from 410,020 MWH in Q1 2024.

Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) emerged as the main source of imported electricity, accounting for 40.5 percent of total imports. Eskom followed closely at 38.5 percent, with other suppliers including Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM) at 7.1 percent, Namibia Power Corporation (Nampower) at 6.4 percent, Cross-border electricity markets at 4.9 percent, and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) at 2.6 percent.

Despite the decline in imported electricity, the overall distribution of electricity in Botswana rose by 5.0 percent (56,336 MWH) year-on-year, from 1,124,952 MWH in Q2 2023 to 1,181,287 MWH in Q2 2024. However, quarter-on-quarter comparisons show a slight decrease of 1.7 percent (20,000 MWH) from the 1,201,287 MWH distributed in the first quarter of 2024.

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