Online Reporter
Power utility Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) and Debswana Diamond Company recently announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Debswana is owned in equal shares by the Botswana government and miner De Beers Group.
This strategic partnership will enable Debswana’s operations to access and demonstrate the use of renewable electricity, sourced from the planned solar plants in the national Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
Debswana operates four diamond mines in Orapa, Letlhakane, Damtshaa and Jwaneng.
“This initiative reflects Botswana’s commitment to the global climate agenda and supports the national IRP to build a cleaner, more resilient energy future. With 1.5 GW of planned renewables and 50 MW already online at Mmadinare solar plant, BPC is delivering real progress towards a sustainable energy mix,” says BPC CEO David Kgoboko.
The MoA establishes a framework to harness renewable energy attributes from solar power stations, providing a platform to drive industrial decarbonisation, starting with major players like Debswana.
These attributes are quantified through RECs, a globally recognised mechanism that allows companies to transparently demonstrate renewable energy use and reduce their carbon footprint.
“Debswana‘s decarbonisation strategy is structured around four key pillars which are: reducing energy intensity, transitioning to alternative fuels, decarbonising electricity supply, and carbon. — Mining Weekly
