The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE) is delighted to have benefitted from the technical support provided by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) that has resulted in the development of this Renewable Readiness Assessment (RRA) for Botswana, despite the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The release of this report coincides with the recent adoption by Parliament of the Botswana National Energy Policy – a key, strategic instrument for the successful and economic development of the local energy sector. A prominent objective of the Policy is to achieve a substantive penetration of new and renewable energy sources in the country’s energy mix; the goal is to attain adequate economic energy self-sufficiency and security, as well as positioning Botswana to fulfil its vision in becoming a regional net exporter, especially in the electricity sector. The Policy also recognises and supports increased energy efficiency and the use  of renewable energy as key drivers for an inclusive transition to a clean energy future. 

Botswana has also issued an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity generation over the next 20 years, covering renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaic, wind, concentrated solar thermal, and batteries for energy storage. Other related initiatives include the Biogas Pilot Project currently in the implementation stage – that ultimately will be rolledout nation-wide; the Off Grid Solar Programme, also  its early stages of development and implementation; and the Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Programme, for which implementation is underway following the launch of the programme in November 2020.