News

The University of Botswana (UB) is participating at the weeklong 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week held at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC). The event, themed "Accelerating Sustainable Energy Solutions for an Energy Secure SADC Region," commenced on the 24th of February and will conclude on the 28th of February 2025. UB is contributing through the SOLTRAIN project which focuses on "Advancing Solar Thermal Technologies for Sustainable Energy: Innovations, Applications, and Future Directions."

SOLTRAIN (Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative) is a regional programme that promotes solar thermal energy as a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. Based at the University's Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), the project provides training, capacity-building and technical support to advance solar thermal applications across various sectors including residential, industrial and institutional settings.

Through research and demonstration projects, SOLTRAIN aims at developing sustainable energy solutions that reduce dependency on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change impacts. Therefore, UB's involvement underscores its commitment to driving innovation in renewable energy and supporting regional efforts towards a low-carbon future.

Officially opening the event, President Advocate Duma Boko called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to prioritize sustainable energy policies in their national development agendas.

He urged member states to accelerate renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives while integrating environmental protection measures. The President underscored the need for clear roadmaps to guide an equitable energy transition which is tailored to the region's unique realities. Furthermore, President Boko encouraged SADC to set tangible targets to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and significantly increase the adoption of renewable energy sources.

He emphasized the importance of investing in sustainable energy to mitigate environmental impacts and harness SADC’s abundant solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal resources for socio-economic growth.

Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, highlighted SADC’s progress in expanding renewable energy, strengthening regulations and fostering regional cooperation. However, she noted persistent challenges including energy poverty, financing gaps and climate change. She underlined the need for collaboration and innovative solutions to ensure future energy security, sustainability and universal access at equitable and affordable prices.

Meanwhile, SADC Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi, said SADC continued to face power shortages due to inadequate infrastructure development and debilitating effects of climate change. Reflecting on the regional energy mix, Mr Magosi noted that coal made 60 percent of energy generation while hydro power accounted for 24 percent with renewable energy trailing at 10 percent.

He explained that climate change had hindered sustainable energy security in the region. While some countries such as Mauritius and Seychelles had achieved universal electricity access, others had rates below 30%. Consequently, he called for urgent and robust action to diversify energy sources particularly through wind and solar power.