Botswana Training and development
Late in April, a team that included the ProBEC appointed biomass officer, Ms Abo Tachebo, participated in a team building exercise. Others that participated comprised the technical officer of BPC Lesedi, three rural electrification officers, a rural electrification coordinator from BPC, the principal renewable energy officer from Energy Affairs Division within the Ministry, and a representative from the gender network of Botswana (GENBO) attended a two-day team building workshop. The objective of the team building was to teach the team how to work together efficiently in order to maximise outputs. Emphasis was placed on team work, efficient communication, strategy, and proper planning. This team will be responsible for the building of a 10kilowatt PV mini-grid and provision of energy services in the village of Sekhutlane, in the Southern district. This is the same team that will be working on a national rollout of the Solar Home System franchise, described below.

BPC Lesedi on the Move

ProBEC is establishing a Solar Home System (SHS) energy franchise system in Botswana with its partner BPC (Botswana Power Corporation) Lesedi. BPC Lesedi expects to award all remaining franchises in the country by end of May 2010.

Franchise agents sell a home energy package comprising rechargeable lanterns and batteries, efficient wood stoves, a solar electric system and a hot bag (heat retained cooker). The stoves are sold for P90, the hot bag costs P400 and the solar lantern is P185, while the solar panels cost P700 (which has an option for instalments at a rate of two payment terms).

In November last year, the Village Development Committee(VDC) members of Lentsweletau, Kgope, Medie and Dikgatlong regions came together to learn about the products and procedures of being a BPC Lesedi Agent.

Now the time has come for BPC Lesedi to set up its office in Gaborone City, in Commerce Park which overlooks the beautiful Kgale Hill on the left. All the villages are shining bright with the BPC Lesedi colours, due to signage and billboards.

So far 36 customers (Lentsweletau 4, Medie 10, Kgope 14 and Dikgatlong 8) are enjoying the benefits of light and energy efficiency due to connection of Solar Home systems. More than 40 lanterns and efficient woodstoves have been sold, with some families having switched to relying solely on their use as opposed to their previous reliance on an open fire.

The pilot phase lasted from September 2009 until February 2010, and it now in the process of being evaluated. BPC Lesedi is trying to source cheaper alternatives of the hotbags. Two sample hot bags received from potential suppliers, and a costing will take place to establish how competitive they are.

Meanwhile, further activities are planned by the head office team which is preparing for the launch and rollout of the system by way of promotional materials and road shows. Teasers are running in local newspapers, followed by inserts of our product brochure. The launch is scheduled to take place by mid-May, preceded by a media briefing. This auspicious occasion is to be graced by the honourable Minister in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources. Afterwards a national rollout, beginning in Gaborone and ending in Francistown over a 15 month-period, will begin. The other regions to be targeted are Serowe, Maun and Kang. These will run parallel with launching the regional offices.

BPC Lesedi is presently reviewing 8 applications for franchisees in the Gaborone area, which is the main region it is concentrating on at this early stage and it anticipates awarding up to 5 franchises in Gaborone.

Keep your eyes and ears open, BPC Lesedi is coming to a village near you, to give a comprehensive energy solution.

Below: Mr Baratang of BPC Lesedi demonstrates the use of a ProBEC-promoted StoveTec efficient wood stove, followed by a photo of a ProBEC-promoted solar lantern

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