Developments in the Mining Sector Boost the Botswana Electricity Industry, Finds Frost & Sullivan

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Botswana faces a severe electricity crisis, which has been compounded by a similar crisis in neighbouring South Africa. As a result, BPC, the public utility, has embarked on significant capital expenditure for a phased expansion of its sole power station and the introduction of independent power producers (IPPs) in the country. Frost & Sullivan anticipates that the Botswana electricity industry is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8 per cent between 2006 and 2015.

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New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.energy.frost.com), Strategic Analysis of the Botswana Electricity Industry, finds that the industry earned revenues of $121.0 million in 2007 and estimates this to reach $170.0 million in 2015. This growth will be due to a sharp increase in the demand for electricity, driven mainly by significant developments in the mining sector.

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“The Botswana electricity industry will remain robust despite a projected decline in revenues in 2008 as a result of a considerable reduction in electricity imports,” notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Jeannot Boussougouth. “As BPC shifts its focus from essentially being an electricity importing utility to a major electricity producer, earnings will increase tremendously.”

Revenues from the sales of electricity are anticipated to reach $130.0 million in 2010, underlining how the expansion of the Morupule power station will lift the country’s electricity industry. This will be compounded by the expected incremental increase of electricity tariffs and the sustained demand for electricity, which is presently growing by 6.5 per cent per annum.

BPC is currently expanding the Morupule power station, with 400MW of generation capacity expected to be added by 2012. This, combined with the start of operations of CIC Energy’s downsized Mmamabula project, should help generate solid revenues in the country’s electricity industry.

“The commissioning of the Mmamabula project and the potential of Saber Energy Corp.’s 1000-megawatt gas-fired station in the Kalahari by 2011, will sustain growth in both the supply of electricity and revenues generated,” explains Boussougouth. “However, this would depend on CIC Energy’s ability to reach financial closure for its $3-billion Mmamabula integrated coal mine and energy project. It remains to be seen if this will be achieved due to the challenges posed by the prevailing global financial crisis.”

The mining sector is the most important consumer segment in Botswana in terms of electricity consumption. It accounted for about 45.1 per cent of BPC’s total electricity consumption in 2006. However, the effect of the current credit crunch is already being felt in the Botswana mining sector as the demand for commodities worldwide and their prices continue to contract.

“The continuous slump in the demand for key commodities such as nickel and copper is having a negative impact on mines in Botswana,” Boussougouth adds. “Several mining companies such as Debswana and Diamonex have either suspended or ceased some of their production. This is expected to translate into a significant reduction of the sector’s electricity consumption. As a result, lower revenues than expected are likely in 2009.”

Strategic Analysis of the Botswana Electricity Industry is part of the Energy & Power Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets: South African Generator Set Market, Key African Power Rental Markets and Hydro Turbine Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

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Strategic Analysis of the Botswana Electricity Industry M2D5 Contact: Patrick Cairns Corporate Communications - Africa P: +27-18-468-2315 E: patrick.cairns@frost.com www.frost.com

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications - Africa of Frost & Sullivan, +27-18-468-2315, patrick.cairns at frost.com