19 February 2026
Tshukudu Metals Botswana has signed a landmark agreement to develop a 21-megawatt (MW) solar power plant at its Motheo copper mine near Ghanzi, marking a significant step toward cleaner energy use in Botswana’s mining sector.
The company, a subsidiary of Sandfire Resources, has entered into a seven-year leasing agreement with Release — a flexible financing venture majority-owned by renewable energy group Scatec. The partnership is designed to accelerate the integration of renewable energy into mining operations by overcoming the financial and technical challenges often associated with large-scale solar adoption.
Release offers a lease-to-own a model that provides redeployable solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems without requiring upfront capital investment. This approach combines technical expertise with adaptable financing solutions to deliver reliable, clean power to industrial clients.
The company is owned 68% by Scatec and 32% by Climate Fund Managers through its EU-supported Climate Investor One Fund — a USD 1 billion blended finance facility focused on renewable energy infrastructure projects in emerging markets.
The solar project will supply renewable energy to Sandfire’s Motheo copper operation, supporting the mine’s decarbonisation objectives and reducing its reliance on conventional grid power. Once operational — expected by the end of 2026 — the plant is projected to generate approximately 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually.
This will meet around 30% of Motheo’s total yearly electricity demand. The agreement as another milestone in the expansion of its African mining portfolio. The deal also builds on Scatec’s established footprint in Botswana, following the commissioning of its 120MW solar portfolio in the country. Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO, said the agreement highlights the effectiveness of the company’s lease-to-own model in unlocking access to large-scale solar energy for industrial clients.
“This agreement demonstrates the strength of our lease-to-own solution, where we combine technical expertise with flexible financing to enable our clients to access large-scale solar without upfront capital investment,” he said.
“Bringing this solution to Botswana for the first time, in partnership with the Motheo mining operation, is a major milestone for our company.”
Located in the central section of the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana, the Motheo mine exports its copper concentrate through the port of Walvis Bay in neighbouring Namibia, further underscoring the project’s regional economic importance.
With implementation now set to begin, the development represents a strategic move toward cleaner, more sustainable mining operations in southern Africa.
Source: https://shorturl.at/lERfx
