| Overview : The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) abattoir, Lobatse Plant, is extremely vulnerable to frequent energy shocks because 100% of its primary energy requirements are met directly from the grid and other fossil fuels sources. The pressing need to significantly enhance BMC’s energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is also recognized in the Botswana’s Nationally Determined Contribution (2015) to the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. The Government of Botswana (GoB) intends to achieve an overall emissions reduction of 15% by 2030 and ensuring an addition of 25% of renewables energy into the country’s energy mix. The BMC is also taking steps to play a key role in contributing to the set target. In considering the above, the Government of Botswana (GoB), through the Department of Energy (DOE), 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)”. The Biogas Project seeks to facilitate low-carbon investments in the production and utilization of biogas from agro-waste in South-Eastern Botswana. The project aims to assist the government through the following three components: - Institutional strengthening and capacity development;
- Facilitation and establishment of biogas plants; and
- Setting up of utilization and knowledge platforms.
As part of the BIOGAS project, a preliminary feasibility study conducted in January 24th 2019 recommended that construction and installation of a medium scale biogas digester would be a viable and favorable option to address the environmental issues and also improve energy security of the abattoir. Installation of the recommended biogas plant will also contribute to energy efficiency of the plant as it will generate approximately 10%, of the total amount of electricity and heat required by the BMC Lobatse plant. In support of BMC efforts to contribute to climate and renewable energy targets, enhancing its own energy security and strengthening Institutional capacity. the need for a detailed feasibility study was recommended. The study will identify best suitable technology to address the above-mentioned issues. It is therefore, against the foregoing that the services of an individual consultant are required to carry out a detailed feasibility study for the installation of a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Plant at the BMC abattoir in Lobatse. The PV plant will complement the proposed biogas plant and ensure availability of reliable and clean energy sources. Of the types of available Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) and the abundant solar energy resource readily exploitable. Botswana receives over 3200 hours of sunshine per year with an average insolation on horizontal surface of 21MJ/m2, one of the highest rates of insolation in the world and that could be readily converted into power. The available surface area at BMC premises could also be used to accommodate the recommended solar PV system thus adding value to the previously unused area |
