9th May 2023
Own Correspondent
Botswana Power Corporation(BPC) maintains it was compelled to introduce rotational load shedding countrywide as a result of a power system blackout caused by a grid disturbance whose exact nature is yet to be determined.
David Kgoboko, Chief Executive Officer for Botswana Power Corporation(BPC) said, “Prior to the incident, adequate generation was available with Morupule B generating 445MW while Morupule A was generating 60MW – giving a total generation of 505MW against a demand of around 390MW around that time of the night. “
He said, “Since we had surplus generation, we were exporting around 60MW to the SAPP.”
According to officials, a grid disturbance occurred on Monday at around 00:13 on and this resulted in the loss of all the units which were in service. i.e 3 units at Morupule A and 3 units at our Morupule B Power Plant – hence the nationwide power blackout that we experienced that night.
“The exact cause of the grid disturbance is still to be determined through investigations which we have since commenced,” said Kgoboko.
He said, “However, preliminary information at hand, shows that there was a disturbance on the Phokoje – Matimba 400kV line which could be due to a fault on the line. We have also observed Power swings on the same line which could have emanated from outside our Grid. This is yet to confirmed through the investigation.”
Morupule A has now restored wo units have been restored and Unit 2 is being restarted and is expected back on the grid around 15:00Hrs today. Unit 1 is undergoing statutory maintenance and is expected back in service during the 1st week of June 2023.
Unit 4 of Morupule B is also successfully restored back to service yesterday and is on full load (150MW). Unit 3 was synchronized this morning at 05:45 hrs. and BPC is raising the load and hope to get to full load today by 6pm.
Unit 1 suffered a minor defect because of sudden trip. Repairs are ongoing and we expect the unit back on the Grid by end of day on Thursday. Whereas, Unit 2 undergoing a major overhaul which is scheduled to be completed at the end of July 2023.
According to officials, the national power demand currently ranges from 380MW (off-peak) to 600MW during peak. With the current output from BPC Power Plants and imports from the region, a supply deficit of around 120MW is expected.
The situation is expected to improve as generation at Morupule B and A power stations is restored to normal and the coporation expects to achieve this by Thursday this week – barring the unforeseen.
“The supply constrains are expected to continue obtaining over the next three years during which period Morupule B units will be undergoing defects remediation which should be completed by end of 2026,” said Kgoboko.
The imminent launch of solar power projects are expected to ensure adequate and reliable power supply during the period. Selebi Phikwe 50MW Solar PV Phase 1 – August 2024 and Selebi Phikwe 50MW Solar PV Phase 2 – March 2025. Jwaneng 100MW Solar PV – July 2026 and the operationalization of the 300MW Coal Fired IPP Project – end of 2027.
