Renewables
Botswana launches floating solar tender for utility dams
Botswana's Water Utilities Corporation initiates an expression of interest process for developing floating photovoltaic systems on state-owned reservoirs.
Key points
- Water Utilities Corporation opens expression of interest phase for floating solar development.
- Bidders will handle design, development, and operation of the new photovoltaic installations.
- Submission deadline for interested firms and consortia is set for November 19 via post.
What happened
According to reporting by pv magazine, Botswana’s Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has initiated a procurement process for floating photovoltaic systems. The infrastructure is slated for deployment across reservoirs managed by the state utility. The initial phase requires eligible corporate entities, joint ventures, and industry consortia to submit expressions of interest by post before the November 19 deadline.
Selected participants will take responsibility for the complete lifecycle of the floating solar assets, encompassing design, construction, and operational management. The initiative follows earlier preparatory steps by WUC, which tendered a feasibility study for floating solar installations on its reservoirs back in 2024. That preliminary work included site assessments at major water storage facilities such as the Gaborone, Bokaa, Lotsane, Letsibogo, and Dikgatlhong dams, predominantly situated in the eastern region of the country.
Additional data from the Africa Solar Industry Association indicates that Botswana currently hosts 190.5 MW of operational solar capacity. Furthermore, development efforts are expanding, highlighted by a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this year for a 500 MW solar installation paired with a 500 MWh battery energy storage system.
Why it matters
This procurement move represents a strategic step for southern African nations seeking to diversify electricity generation portfolios and incorporate modern renewable infrastructure. World Bank indicators from 2021 recorded Botswana's renewable share of electricity output at a minimal 0.2 percent, while access to electricity reached 80.2 percent of the population in 2024. Integrating floating photovoltaic arrays onto existing water bodies offers a practical method to expand clean power generation without requiring extensive land allocations.
For energy investors and regional policymakers, utilizing water surfaces for solar installations also helps mitigate water evaporation losses in arid climates while improving photovoltaic module efficiency through natural cooling effects. As African utilities look to scale up generation capacities to match rising domestic demand, mirrored by a per capita electricity consumption of 1,660.4 kWh recorded in 2024, competitive tenders for utility-scale solar projects provide vital pathways for private sector capital participation and regional energy security.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
0.2% of electricity in Botswana was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
