A significant milestone in Botswana’s journey towards sustainable energy practices is on the horizon. Riverside Hospital, a cutting-edge private healthcare institution, welcomed the U.S. Ambassador to Botswana, Van Vranken, for the inauguration of Botswana’s first solar-powered hospital.
VISIT BY THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO RIVERSIDE HOSPITAL (POWERING HEALTHCARE IN THE REGION)
Riverside Hospital’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative energy solutions has paved the way for this unprecedented project. As the first health facility in Botswana to adopt solar energy on such a scale, the Hospital sets a benchmark for healthcare providers across the nation. The initial stage of the project encompasses two roof-mounted solar power plants on the main hospital, with a collective capacity of 63KWp. The entire project, when completed, will reach an impressive total of 465KWp.
This pioneering initiative, executed in partnership with Sustainable Energy Botswana, signifies a remarkable shift in healthcare energy practices.
We are exceptionally proud to be at the forefront of the clean energy revolution in healthcare. The journey towards sustainable energy practices aligns seamlessly with our commitment to providing the best possible healthcare services while being responsible stewards of our environment. This solar project at Riverside Hospital not only marks a historic achievement for us but also sets a remarkable example for healthcare providers across Botswana. We believe that this initiative will significantly enhance our energy efficiency and reliability, contributing to even better patient care. It’s a momentous step forward in our mission to power healthcare in the region through innovation and sustainability. Shared Dr K.F. Mompati, Riverside Hospital Directing Manager.
Sustainable Energy Botswana, a dynamic force in the solar energy sector known for its comprehensive solar system solutions, is thrilled to be part of this inspiring milestone: the initiation of a groundbreaking solar project at Riverside Hospital.
With a reputation for excellence in their work, Sustainable Energy Botswana has embarked on a transformative journey at Riverside Clinic, marking a significant stride towards sustainable energy utilization in the healthcare sector.
This project resonates deeply with our core values of sustainability and progress” shared Robert Hanna, SEB Director. “The collaboration between Sustainable Energy Botswana and Riverside Hospital underscores our shared commitment to driving positive change through renewable energy.
As Riverside Hospital makes history by becoming the first grid-tied solar-powered healthcare institution in Botswana, it embraces an opportunity to promote sustainable energy practices.
About Sustainable Energy Botswana, Sustainable Energy Botswana is a leading solar energy company renowned for its expertise in designing, installing finance, operating on service delivery and aftercare, and commissioning solar systems. With an unwavering commitment to driving sustainable energy solutions, the company is driving transformative change across various sectors, and the company is at the forefront of advancing clean and renewable energy adoption in Botswana and beyond.
About Riverside Hospital, Riverside Hospital is a state-of-the-art private healthcare institution located in Francistown, Botswana. Committed to excellence in healthcare services, Riverside Hospital has embarked on a journey toward sustainable energy practices by integrating solar power into its operations.
Contacts:
Tachenama Pusoetsile
Marketing & PR Officer
Sustainable Energy Botswana
Tel; +267 71838370/+267 2404895
pusoetsile@sebotswana.com
Faith Ketshogile
Operations – Patient Services Manager
Riverside Hospital
+267 2412518/73630007
fketshogile@riversidehospital.co.bw
Press statement
On the 4th of November 2021, Sustainable Energy Botswana ( SEB) partnered with the U.K. High Commssion and U.S. Embassy to commemorate energy day event that took place at the COP26 climate conference which was in Glasgow, Scotland.
SEB had the opportunity to showcase projects from various industries to further show how much potential Botswana has in becoming a large producer of renewable energy.
Sustainable Energy Botswana fulfills its mandate to diversify the solar industry
Following a partnership with the Blantyre Blantyre Research Facility Sustainable Energy Botswana recently employed its first female solar engineer and Business Development Manager in Malawi.
The 24-year-old Malawi local holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Renewable Energy Systems from Mzuzu University, Malawi. Her passion for renewable energy started in 2015 when her community started experiencing frequent electricity blackouts. “I remember we would spend the whole day without electricity and life was boring and difficult,” she said. That is when she started fantasizing about how she could create electricity from home and took an interest in global climate issues. All of this led to her pursuing a qualification in Renewable Energy Systems which would ensure access to a modern, clean, reliable, and uninterrupted power supply.
Her pursuit of a sustainable future wasn’t a smooth one, as a scholar she experienced prejudice being a female in a male-dominated field. “I was advised to change the course and opt for something doable by women before I end up withdrawn on academic grounds”. According to her, her voice and opinion weren’t heard based on the assumption that men understood her field better.
As an employee, she worked in multiple projects as the only woman and in most instances, her capabilities were doubted. When interviewed she began to doubt her chosen career path and that women were expected to let go of their feminine side which was not the case. Among other myths about being a female in the industry was that you stand a lower chance of getting married which is why most women desist from joining the industry.
Despite this, her journey has been a breath of fresh air. Firstly, the e-learning program facilitated by Amos Chenamani, SEB’s Solar Engineer in Botswana, and being part of the solar apprenticeship boosted her confidence and gave her more insights into the solar industry. She further said that working on real-life projects helped her see her full potential despite her gender and the fact that all these projects were going to have an immense impact on the lives of many pushed her to work even harder.
Leticia joined the team in Botswana on the 1st of September for six weeks of immersive training through various projects. She looks forward to working with José Moreno Linares who has 20 years of experience in the solar industry globally and has recently joined the team in Botswana as well. She is also ecstatic to finally work with other females in the industry and for those who aren’t sure about pursuing a career in the solar energy industry all she had to say is “Be the goal-getter! What are you waiting for”?
Read MoreSEB commissions the first grid-tied solar school project in Botswana
Under the theme “Go Solar, Save the environment” Sustainable Energy Botswana commissioned Regent Hill International School’s Block 9, Gaborone campus as the first solar school in Botswana.
The event that took place on the 24th of June was graced by many dignitaries including the United States of America Ambassador, Honourable Craig Cloud. The 40 kWp roofing project aims to nurture a more sustainable future by providing an inspirational learning environment for scholars to live sustainable lifestyles eventually influencing their communities to follow suit. Through the grid-tied project, Regent Hill International will not only be a consumer but a prosumer, reducing costs and dependence on imported energy while giving back excess energy to the grid to support grid capacity. Lastly, the project aims to help fulfill Botswana’s commitment to the Paris Agreement to reduce our carbon footprint by 15% by 2030.
SEB scope out Palapye- based industrial project.
Daiyaan Mahomed and Amos Chenamani, our lead engineers, installed data loggers ahead of another off-grid hybrid system that will be put in some time in the next few months. The data loggers installed are state-of-the-art data collection devices that will gather all the information we need to run various simulations over a 12 month period. The business case software will develop the best system based on technology and ROI after we present a number of options to the client for consideration.
Read MoreSEB provides Marketing and PR support for the SwanaSmartStore webinar.
Sustainable Energy Botswana’s communications and marketing officer, Theo Ofetotse, supported the SwanaSmartStore “Digital iNdaba” Webinar by offering communications services for the event. The SwanaSmartStore, a consortium comprising of Kingston University, Ulster University, EmPowered FinTech as well as OneSun Zimbabwe and SolaForm, received 250,000 Pound funding from the UK Government agency, Innovate UK. The project is aimed at developing solar and thermal PV systems, a cause that SEB is passionate about and at the forefront of.
Check out the webinars at https://swanasmartstore.kingston.ac.uk/webinars.html
SEB Engineering Team installs specialist data analysis equipment.
The SEB engineering team installed top-class data analysis equipment for two industrial clients in Botswana in preparation for proposals for the new BPC C&I rooftop solar program. This program will commission 8Mw of rooftop solar in 2021. Successful clients are expected to sign a 15 year Power Purchase Agreement to export their surplus production to the grid. Our engineering team is fully trained and certified. Our engineering team is fully trained and certified to use our online simulation platform which enables us to optimize our system design specific to each site. We also prepare a business plan for each client demonstrating the ROI of the project proposal.
Sustainable Energy completes rooftop installation for Zimbabwe-based bank
The SEB lead engineers have successfully installed a roof-mounted grid-tied project to provide secure, clean, and affordable solar energy to one of the major banks in Harare. Amos Chenamani, Daiyaan Mahomed, and Brian Kambasha worked together to ensure that the project, the first of its kind, is up and running to guarantee sufficient solar energy provision for the corporation.
Scottish Funding Council awards Sustainable Energy Botswana the Global Challenges Research Fund Award.
Sustainable Energy Botswana has become part of a historical, trailblazing solar power project in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and the College of Medicine located in the University of Malawi. The solar power project aims to provide clean energy solutions to the Blantyre Blantyre Research Facility while also ensuring that the health facility has 24/7 access to electricity throughout.
Read more about this project on https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/iii/newsevents/headline_768497_en.html