The volume of electricity generated locally increased in the last quarter of the year as local power stations continue to improve in performance.

Statistics Botswana’s Electricity generation and distribution stats brief of third quarter of 2016 showed that in comparison to the Index of Electricity Generation during the third quarter of 2016 and the second quarter of the same year reflects an increase of 36.0%, from 115.7 during the second quarter of 2016 to 157.3 during the third quarter of the same year.

On the other hand, the index of the physical volume of electricity stood at 157.3 during the current quarter, giving an increase of 11.7% over the index of 140.8 recorded during the corresponding quarter of 2015.

Stats Botswana added that it can also be observed that the quarter-on-quarter index of electricity generation increased by 36.0% from the index of 115.7 recorded during the second quarter of 2016 to 157.3 during the third quarter of the same year.

“This increase is largely influenced by the improved performance of the power generators at Morupule
B power plant during the period under review,” it said. “The three emergency power plants were also put to use (even though minimally) to supplement the output from Morupule B.”

The improvement in the local generation has meant that the country’s reliance on imported electricity, especially from South Africa’s Eskom, is declining.

Stats Botswana has noted that during the third quarter of 2016, the volume of imported electricity amounted to 333,355 MWH, giving a decrease of 8.5%, when compared to 364,427 MWH recorded during the same quarter in 2015.

“This decrease is attributed to the increase in electricity generated locally to ease dependence on imports,” the statistics body said.

According to Stats Botswana, the electricity generated locally contributed 66.5% to electricity distributed during the third quarter of 2016, as compared to 61.9% recorded during the corresponding quarter in 2015 and 50.9% during the second quarter of 2016.