| Overview : The Government of Botswana in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are implementing a project titled “Promoting production and utilization of Biogas from Agro-waste in South-Eastern Botswana (Biogas Project)”. This follows the realization that waste has not been taken as a resource in the country and this is inefficient as waste could be re-used. The reuse of waste to generate energy is an opportunity that Botswana must tap into for future use. Several waste streams are available at several agro-industrial facilities which can be utilized for generation of energy. Some of the agro-waste for consideration in bio-gas production include chicken manure, cow dung and goat/sheep droppings. Despite this immense potential presented by the abundance of livestock manure, agricultural/animal waste and other forms of biomass in the country, generation of energy from this waste remains a challenge. The Biogas Project seeks to facilitate low-carbon investments and public-private partnerships in the production and utilization of biogas from agro-waste in the districts of South-eastern Botswana. It has been realized that there are no suitable demonstration projects for technology penetration as the current use of biogas in Botswana is limited to small-scale applications and there is no institutional biogas plant operating at either an abattoir or a landfill. Also, there is insufficient knowledge among various stakeholders (Government, private companies, farmers, communities, women, consumers) about the benefits of biogas and the available technologies. The project therefore, will assist Government of Botswana in addressing these challenges through three project components: - Institutional strengthening and capacity development
- Facilitation and establishment of biogas plants
- Setting up of utilization and knowledge platforms.
Botswana having ratified the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) has the obligation to promote production of green energy and reduce on the Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions. Though Botswana is a minor emitter of GHGs, the country as other countries is negatively impacted by climate change, efforts should be made to reduce on the emissions. The outcomes of the project will include the implementation of effective waste-management policies and guidelines with operational regulations; capacity to design and develop biogas projects in South-Eastern Botswana; first best practice public-private partnership established; reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (direct and indirect) of 1.65 million total carbon dioxide emissions (tCO2e); and increased incomes using small-scale biogas and bio-fertilizer, especially for women. In light of the above, UNDP and partners in the Project are seeking the services of a Private Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) Consultant. The consultant will be responsible for developing the guidelines to be used for feeding electricity generated from biowaste into the Botswana national grid. The guidelines will include determination of suitable tariffs to be used by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the biowaste-energy sector. The consultant will build relevant capacity on REFIT strategies, international standards and appropriate guidelines among stakeholders through workshops and tailor-made training programmes; and support the programme management staff, where applicable, on REFIT related issues. |
