Botswana energy mix & electricity
Electricity generation in Botswana reached 3.4 TWh in 2024. The supply is almost entirely coal, which accounted for 98.3% of generation; oil made up most of the remainder (1.5%).
Electricity generation by source in 2024
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | 3.37 | 98.3% | +2.6 |
| Oil | 0.05 | 1.5% | −2.9 |
| Solar | 0.01 | 0.3% | +0.3 |
| Total | 3.43 | 100% |
Botswana: electricity in context
Electricity generation in Botswana reached 3.4 TWh in 2024. That is similar to Mauritius. The supply is almost entirely coal, which accounted for 98.3% of generation; oil made up most of the remainder (1.5%).
The renewable share stood at 0.3%, placing Botswana 153rd of 158 ranked countries (in the bottom quarter). This puts it 33 points below the world average of 33.8%. It is also below the average for Africa (24.7%). Each kilowatt-hour emitted on average 851 g CO₂e, against a world average of 458 g. Few grids in the world emit more per kilowatt-hour. On carbon intensity, Botswana ranks 154th of 158 from the cleanest.
Over the past decade coal added more generation than any other source (+1.2 TWh since 2014, plus 2.6 percentage points of share). Oil moved the other way, falling by 50 GWh. Overall, the renewable share has barely moved over ten years (a change of under one percentage point).
With 98.3% of electricity still from coal (1st-highest share worldwide), decarbonising power is a long road for Botswana.
Wind and solar remain marginal in Botswana, together supplying under 1% of electricity.
Botswana generates 1,361 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 35% of the global average. Imports cover around 27% of demand: Botswana bought 1.2 TWh more electricity than it exported.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Botswana against the world and Africa averages.
Total energy: beyond electricity
Primary energy covers transport, heating and industry too. Per person, that is 9,508 kWh a year (world: 21,654).
Domestic extraction of coal, gas and oil, in energy terms.
Power plants in Botswana
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 2 utility-scale plants in Botswana with a combined capacity of 0.7 GW. Coal plants account for the largest slice (100% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is Morpule (732 MW, Coal). The database was last updated in 2021, so newer wind and solar farms and rooftop PV are under-represented.
Largest power plants
| # | Plant | Fuel | Capacity MW | Commissioned | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morpule | Coal | 732 | — | Botswana Power Corporation |
| 2 | Sua Pan Soda Ash | Coal | 14 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 2 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Botswana
19 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 134 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 4 GW under construction or planned.
How does Botswana compare?
Botswana next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | 0.3% | 0.3% | 99.7% | 851 | 1,361 | 3.4 | — | |
| South Africa | 13.6% | 17.8% | 82.2% | 699 | 3,749 | 243 | Compare | |
| Zambia | 87.5% | 87.5% | 12.5% | 120 | 925 | 19.7 | Compare | |
| Zimbabwe | 57.1% | 57.1% | 42.9% | 384 | 617 | 10.3 | Compare | |
| Namibia | 97.6% | 97.6% | 2.4% | 49 | 541 | 1.6 | Compare | |
| Eswatini | 96.7% | 96.7% | 3.3% | 131 | 491 | 0.6 | Compare | |
| Angola | 73.7% | 73.7% | 26.3% | 185 | 412 | 15.6 | Compare | |
| Africa average | 24.7% | 25.5% | 74.5% | 544 | 635 | 962 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Botswana
Botswana energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Botswana is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Botswana?
How clean is the electricity in Botswana?
Does Botswana have nuclear power?
How much electricity does Botswana use per person?
How much solar power does Botswana produce?
Does Botswana import electricity?
More countries in Africa
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2024. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.