botswana eyes more electricity generation, page-4

For those interested in some more fundamentals / facts and figures - there is a lot of interesting reading on the BPC site (Botswana Power Corporation).

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The pros and cons of power supply in relation to NMR's position are made much more apparent with a bit of a read here. Hope it is of some interest.

http://www.bpc.bw/index.php

Once again - very slick looking company. These people in Botswana are pushing ahead quickly.

Just look at the motto - "Powering Botswana... Towards Prosperity". For what its worth - show the sentiment...

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Yes - Moruple A/B will dominate power supply for the next little while. Studies show it as the ideal place for the latest coal fired station - but by no means at the exception of others in the future. They are actively looking for new sources of supply (hydro / coal / solar)

http://www.bpc.bw/generation_projects.php

The Morupule B Power Station Documents show the depth of research gone into this project - this is not some two-bit hill-billy setup - but a world class operation.

Lot of food for thought - looking ahead as NMR hopes to expand/produce - perhaps in some form of the power supply to the country and its neighbors.

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A lot of positives (in relation to NMR's aspirations) also to be gleaned from the site

A few worth noting...



1) Steady increase in maximum demand, generation and ppwer produced year on year.

http://www.bpc.bw/doc/bpc_annual_report_2010.pdf

See table on page 8



2) For the "Botswana has no infrastructure" down rampers - it is apparent that expansion of the network it relatively charging ahead of late - with the government sponsoring masses of regional improvements and many towns and areas being connected to the grid. Note that drawing is dated 2004 - so may have been more improvements since.

http://www.bpc.bw/rural_electrification.php



3) Have a look at the supply coming into the country (large BLACK arrows on border).

http://www.bpc.bw/doc/botswana_map.pdf

There is clearly existing infrastructure that is bringing imported power to Botswana - leaving room for export in the future a possibility, as South Africa grows etc.



4) DJC mentioned that power was available in Takatokwane - and from the supply grid map - and it is very clear that there is - all-be-it via 33,000 and 66,000 supply.

Interesting to note that a much large 132,000 supply terminates only about 80km to the east of Takatokwane. This may mean minimal upgrades of lines to transmit power from a future coal mine - back east in the direction of Gabs (capital city).



5) For a power company to have a section dedicated to "Planned Interruptions" - well if there is ever a clearer message that they want more reliable supply - let me know!

http://www.bpc.bw/planned_interruptions.php



6) Funding for the Moruple B project - while a large loan - happened. People are willing to invest in the country - at a very large scale.



7) Supply connection increase, while down about 11% less of an increase from the previous reported years figure - was still a healthy INCREASE! Current 2011 figures still to be released.
Overall customer base 7.8% increase since the beginning of the reported financial year... not bad! See page 14 of annual report.



8) NMR turf in very nice position to the southern border - far from CIC / Moruple/ AFR ares.

Will be interesting as others miners etc come on line. NMR not sitting in a crowded supply of cheap southern coal by any means.



9) Growth in all sectors (MINING, COMMERICAL, DOMESTIC, GOVERMENT) all increased year on year every year since 2006 as shown in annual report. Not one drop in any sector for EIGHT years running..... good or good or good?!

See page 6 of report for basic graph.

Business losses appear to be mainly from improvements /expenditure on infrastructure (Moruple B etc), and financial juggling not working out so good.



10) While to the detriment to some degree to the environment - the hyro power sources considered in the Moropule studies seem limited in feasibility - due to their remoteness from existing electrical supply network.

NMR with proximity to Gabs and power lines etc a better chance by the look of it - all other factors permitting of course.

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Sure there are plenty more pros and cons here.

A lot to read and interpret.

bsh