26 March 2024
Norwegian renewable power producer Scatec ASA (OSL:SCATC) has begun the construction of the 120-MW Mmadinare solar complex in Botswana.
The ground-breaking ceremony took place on March 22, the project owner announced in a social media post on Monday.
The BWP-1.4-billion (USD 102.1m/EUR 94.1m) Mmadinare scheme represents the first utility-scale solar facility in the country. The sod-turning event came after the Nordic firm in December achieved financial closing on the first 60-MW stage of the project.
The solar complex is located in the Mmadinare district of eastern Botswana, around 400 kilometres (248 mi) northeast of the capital Gaborone.
Once commissioned, the initial phase of the project will generate enough power to meet the electricity demand of about 20,000 homes annually. Its output has been contracted by the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) under a 25-year agreement.
(BWP 10 = USD 0.729/EUR 0.672)
