Botswana Taps Oman for 500 MW Solar Project in Maun
On 16 April 2026, a groundbreaking ceremony for a 500 MW solar farm took place in Botswana. The #PV project is utility-scale at 500 MW with a battery storage system, and it is located in the city of Maun in northern Botswana.
What is remarkable is that the groundbreaking ceremony took place just three days after the framework agreements were signed in Muscat. Botswana’s President Duma Boko and Oman Investment Authority (OIA) Chair Abdulsalam Al Murshidi attended the ceremony. On the occasion, the Botswana Power Corporation and O-Green, a subsidiary of OIA, also signed the Power Purchase Agreement (#PPA) for a 30-year term.
The Maun PV Project is in line with O-Green global expansion strategy and the #GreenTransition drive of Botswana. Studies have shown that Botswana enjoys over 3,200 hours of sunshine annually and is blessed with one of the highest solar irradiations in the world.
When completed, the Maun Solar Farm will double Botswana’s generation capacity. Two more solar farms in Mmadinare and Jwaneng are adding another 100 MW of generation capacity. As part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (#NDC), Botswana aims to attain at least 50% of renewables in its energy mix by 2030, up from its current 10%.
Oman is already targeting a pipeline of generation projects up to a total of 3,000 MW in Botswana. OIA noted that the project will be delivered in phases. Eventually, any excess electricity produced can be exported to neighboring countries via the South African Power Pool (#SAPP).
The Project incorporates an energy storage system (#ESS) with a capacity rating of 500 MWh. This will enable the generation site to support day and night supply and manage peak loads.
As part of the agreements inked in Muscat, OQ Group and Botswana Oil will cooperate on #EnergySecurity and enhancing petroleum storage facilities. In addition, the Oman Mining Development Company and Botswana’s Exploration Investment Company will join hands to map out the mineral wealth of Botswana, with a view to the development of a mining project.