• New 60 MW tranche brings Mmadinare’s total capacity to 120 MW

• Power will be sold to Botswana Power Corporation under a 25-year PPA

• Project expected to supply 280 GWh per year and cut 380,000 tons of CO₂

The Norwegian renewable-energy developer Scatec ASA announced on December 10 the start of commercial operations for the second 60 MW phase of the Mmadinare solar project in Botswana.

With this milestone, total installed capacity now reaches 120 MW, fully developed and owned by Scatec. The electricity will be sold for 25 years to Botswana Power Corporation under a long-term power purchase agreement. Scatec noted that it plans to bring additional partners into the project to reduce its ownership over time, a strategy it has already adopted in other markets.

The plant is expected to generate 280 GWh per year and support an estimated reduction of 380,000 tons of CO₂. It also strengthens electricity access in a country where nearly one-quarter of the population lacked access at the end of 2023, according to World Bank data. Mmadinare will help diversify an energy mix still dominated by fossil fuels, mainly coal.

Alberto Gambacorta, Scatec’s executive vice president and managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa, said the milestone comes at a time when Botswana is accelerating its shift toward renewable energy and represents an important step for both the country and the region. He noted that Scatec is proud to operate Botswana’s first large-scale solar photovoltaic plant and to support the country’s long-term energy goals.

Across Southern Africa, Scatec continues to expand in utility-scale solar. In South Africa, the company has just commissioned the Grootfontein complex (273 MW), developed under the REIPPPP public program supporting private power producers. Scatec is also advancing projects in Egypt and North Africa, where several large solar facilities are under preparation.

Botswana now joins this regional momentum, marked by the rollout of new solar parks that strengthen security of supply and diversify generation sources.

Abdoullah Diop