Botala Energy Ltd (ASX:BTE) has received approval from the Department of Environmental Protection to move forward with the commercial development of its Serowe Energy Hub, located centrally in Serowe village, Botswana.
The development will include:
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage and distribution facilities;
- A 24-megawatt (MW) solar/gas hybrid power plant, including a 4MW solar tender to supply the local grid;
- Service and storage facilities;
- A small market gardening area.
All environmental approvals are now secured for Botala’s Serowe gasfield, LNG production facilities, energy hubs in Serowe and Leupane, and the gas pipeline connecting the gasfield to Leupane.
Note, developments will still need standard approvals and permits from local authorities.
"Expediting LNG production"
“We are pleased to have secured environmental approval following a detailed social and environmental appraisal and look forward to working with local investors and the Serowe community-based Ngwato Development Trust, which are finalising funding arrangements,” Botala CEO Kris Martinick said.
“We now have environmental approvals for all our proposed gasfield and related energy development plans, including commercial gas production, liquefication and/or compression of gas, pipelines and establishing two strategically located Energy Hubs, each with substantial solar components and LNG production and distribution capacity.
"This will enable us to supply local demand and export electricity and especially LNG to South Africa and neighbouring countries.
“With the identified gas shortage in South Africa, we are focused on expediting LNG production. We remain well positioned to achieve our objectives in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.”
Location of proposed Serowe Energy Hub.
Solar project development next year
Development of the 4MW solar project, which will be owned by Botala and local Botswana stakeholders, including the Serowe community’s Ngwato Development Trust, is set to begin early next year.
Botala’s primary focus remains the development of its 100%-owned Serowe coal bed methane gas project. Its secondary focus is solar energy, which is driving the development of the 110-hectare Serowe Energy Hub and the 1,520-hectare Leupane Energy Hub and Industrial Park, located near Palapye, Botswana.
Leupane’s Energy Hub is larger than Serowe’s, featuring a 500MW solar farm and a 200MW gas hybrid plant in staged development.
The first stage will be developed in partnership with AAAS Energy BV of the Netherlands, which will acquire 50% of the project for A$1 million, as announced on April 12, 2024.
A bankable feasibility study (BFS) is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.