- Project includes erection of poles for 66kV transmission line
- Substations to be installed at Lesedi and near Serowe.
The company announced late last year that funding had been secured for construction of the transmission line and substations from Tlou’s largest shareholder, the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund.
Since that time, the relevant contractors have been updating their tenders to reflect any cost adjustments that may be necessary. Tlou says this process is largely completed and that the work is set to commence following final signatures. The Lesedi Project is located approximately 100km from the existing electricity grid. The development will include erection of wooden poles fitted with an overhead 66kV transmission line.
In addition, substations will be installed at Lesedi and close to Serowe. The Lesedi substation will integrate generation assets with the transmission line while the Serowe substation will tie in with Botswana Power Corporation’s existing infrastructure.
The company says the transmission line route has been surveyed and full environmental approval is in place. The line will predominantly cross flat, arid terrain with the last 5Km being through the outskirts of the Serowe township. As previously announced, experienced contractors are being used for the project with construction of overhead lines by Zismo Engineering (Pty) Ltd (Zismo) and by OptiPower for construction of substations.
Zismo is a Botswana-based electrical engineering, contracting, automation and refurbishment company. OptiPower is a division of Murray & Roberts Ltd that is based in South Africa. OptiPower’s core business includes construction of substations, power lines and fibre optic networks. The Company recently received a 10MW Electricity Generation Licence from the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA). The licence has a term of 15 years and is for the generation of 10MW of power at the Lesedi Project for sale to Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).
Lesedi gas production wells also continue to perform steadily. The Lesedi 3P (L3) production pod was shut‐in for approximately 18 months during the COVID pandemic and was recently brought back into production following resumption of full operations. Since resumption, L3 has already recommenced flowing gas, which is a positive indicator. Lesedi 4P (L4) production pod also continues to flow sustained gas. “Cumulative flow rates are encouraging and we look forward to providing substantive numbers to the market as soon as practicable,” the company said.
