• 21 MW solar plant to supply about 30% of Motheo mine’s power needs
• Seven-year lease-to-own model avoids upfront capital spending
• Project reflects growing shift to solar in African mining

Release, a subsidiary of Norwegian energy group Scatec, announced on February 12 that it has signed a seven-year leasing agreement for a 21 MW solar power plant to supply the Motheo copper mine near Ghanzi, Botswana.

The installation is expected to enter service by the end of 2026. It should generate about 40 GWh per year, covering nearly 30% of the electricity needs of the site operated by Tshukudu Metals Botswana, a subsidiary of Sandfire Resources.

The project illustrates the evolving power supply model in Africa’s mining sector. Solar energy is increasingly becoming a preferred alternative, supported by business models that are now well established.

Release has adopted a lease-to-own structure, allowing the mine operator to access large-scale solar capacity without upfront capital investment. The system will be installed on site and directly integrated into mining operations.

Other approaches are also emerging across the continent. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, CrossBoundary Energy is developing a solar plant with storage for the Kamoa-Kakula copper mine to provide baseload power, typically supplied by fossil fuels.

In South Africa, the wheeling model has gained traction. Companies such as Sibanye-Stillwater have signed renewable power purchase agreements with energy traders, with electricity transmitted عبر the national grid to supply mining operations.

These models show how solar power is gradually integrating into the electricity systems that support Africa’s extractive industry. Cleaner and often cheaper than diesel, solar energy enables mining companies to secure their power supply, reduce dependence on sometimes constrained national infrastructure, and support their emissions reduction commitments.

Abdoullah Diop