Botswana Showcases Renewable Energy Innovation Through ASE and ABSA Solar Activation at Villa de Chazha Guesthouse

Giving his remarks, His Excellency Giles Enticknap said “This is a powerful demonstration of what can be delivered when innovation, finance, and partnership come together with a shared purpose. Like many countries in the world, Botswana’s energy transition from coal to clean, is both urgent and essential, and that’s something which His Excellency, the President from the Republic of Botswana, has made very clear  and something which I’ve had long and detailed discussions with His Honor, the Vice President, about.  So, it’s a great pleasure to be in a country where the UK’s objective and Botswana’s objectives around clean energy are absolutely aligned”.

The installation features a 19.68 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system supported by a 10.24 kWh battery energy storage solution, delivering reliable renewable electricity and improved energy security during grid interruptions. The project also includes an advanced solar thermal water heating system designed to operate efficiently while consuming minimal electricity of up to 70W, with operational temperatures ranging from –10°C to 110°C.

The integrated renewable energy solution utilizes GoodWe technology, including the inverter, battery storage system, and smart metering infrastructure, enabling efficient energy management and monitoring.

Villa de Chazha Guesthouse has become the first guesthouse in Botswana to implement a fully integrated solar energy system, combining solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and solar thermal water heating technologies in a practical and innovative model for clean energy adoption within the tourism and hospitality sector. The installation demonstrates how renewable energy solutions can simultaneously address electricity generation, energy storage, and water heating needs while reducing operating costs and carbon emissions.

The solar thermal technology deployed at Villa de Chazha was developed by a spinout company from the University of Edinburgh and funded through the UK Energy Catalyst programme. The technology was successfully piloted in Kenya before being introduced to Botswana, showcasing the potential for international collaboration in accelerating the deployment of innovative renewable energy solutions across Africa. Botswana has been selected to trial the newly developed smart monitoring platform developed with support from AI, which will enable online and mobile application monitoring of the system performance. 

The project forms part of the Francistown City Energy Hub, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative designed to demonstrate scalable renewable energy solutions while supporting sustainable economic development and energy resilience within the city and surrounding communities. The PPP in partnership with ABSA Bank are also supporting the private sector to adopt clean energy solutions via the commercial and industrial client to impact on their bottom line whilst also implementing ESG targets. This C&I program will see several next business introduce clean energy into their energy mix this year.

The activation also forms part of the broader Joint Knowledge Exchange on Renewable Energy between Botswana, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, a trilateral collaboration aimed at accelerating renewable energy deployment, policy learning, technology transfer, and sustainable development across participating countries. The programme is implemented by African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Kenya and 4T in Botswana, with strategic support from the UK Government through the British High Commissions in Nairobi and Gaborone.

The event brought together stakeholders from the energy, finance, tourism and development sectors, highlighting the growing importance of collaborative partnerships in accelerating Botswana’s renewable energy ambitions. It also demonstrated how knowledge exchange between countries can help translate innovative technologies into practical solutions that address local energy challenges.

Speaking during the activation, Francistown City Energy Hub (FCEH) Engineer, Tepo Paphane emphasized that the project demonstrates how innovative clean energy solutions can be deployed locally to improve sustainability, reduce operational costs, and strengthen energy resilience for businesses and communities.

The solar activation also highlighted the role of strategic partnerships between the private sector and financial institutions in supporting the adoption of renewable energy technologies across Botswana.

The Villa de Chazha installation forms part of ASE’s broader mission to expand access to sustainable energy solutions while supporting Botswana’s transition toward a greener economy. Botswana continues to position itself as a regional renewable energy leader, with the country accelerating utility-scale and distributed solar investments in pursuit of its renewable energy targets.

 ” We are no longer at the mercy of rising energy costs. Gone are the days when we used to greet our guests with a torch.  Here is how the transformation looked for us, we stopped just being consumers, we began selling electricity back to the grid as well as buying it. Within the very first week of March, we saw days where we were producing significantly more than we consumed”, said Mrs Rebonyeng Hick, Villa de Chazha Guesthouse Director.

The Villa de Chazha solar activation aligns closely with Botswana’s national renewable energy objectives, including the Botswana Power Corporation’s (BPC) Rooftop Solar Programme, which seeks to increase distributed renewable energy generation and encourage greater participation by households and businesses in the country’s clean energy transition. By demonstrating the practical benefits of integrated solar technologies within the hospitality sector, the project provides a replicable model for businesses looking to reduce energy costs, improve energy security, and contribute to Botswana’s renewable energy targets.

The project further reflects growing momentum within Botswana’s renewable energy sector, as the country seeks to reduce dependence on coal-generated electricity and increase renewable energy’s contribution to the national energy mix.

ASE acknowledged the support of Absa Bank Botswana, technology partners, the UK Government, programme partners, project stakeholders, and the local community in making the activation a success.

As Botswana accelerates efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on coal-generated electricity, initiatives such as the Francistown City Energy Hub, the BPC Rooftop Solar Programme, and the Botswana–Kenya–UK Joint Knowledge Exchange on Renewable Energy are creating new opportunities for innovation, investment, and knowledge sharing. The Villa de Chazha installation demonstrates how international collaboration, public-private partnerships, and cutting-edge technology can work together to deliver practical clean energy solutions that support economic growth, energy resilience, and sustainable development.