A tender is open in Botswana for a 30 MW solar project that will supply electricity to a diamond mine. The deadline to submit expressions of interest is July 10.
Diamond mining company Lucara Botswana, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lucara Diamond Corp., is running a tender for a 30 MW solar project.
The solar plant will supply electricity to the Karowe diamond mine in northcentral Botswana. The mine, operated by Lucara Botswana, opened in 2012 and currently relies on grid electricity and diesel generation to support its operations.
The chosen developer will be responsible for the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the solar facility under a long-term power purchase agreement.
The invite to tender says the project may be implemented in two phases. The first phase should cover 20 MW of grid-tied solar, while the second should encompass another 10 MW of solar integrated with a 20 MWh battery energy storage system. The project has been given a targeted commercial operation data of 2027 to 2028.
