Regional power expected to grow
African Energy (AFR) will press ahead with the development of three large scale power projects in Botswana following satisfactory findings that point to strong regional power demand in Southern Africa which is linked to population growth and increased standards of living.
African Energy has built a portfolio comprising over 8.5 billion tonnes of thermal coal in three projects in Botswana, the biggest project being Sese JV has 5 billion tonnes of coal deposits, Mmamabula West with 2.4 billion tonnes and Mmamantswe has about 1.2 billion tonnes of coal.
All three projects are being developed as 300-600MW fully integrated power projects to supply the chronically power starved SADC region. The three projects are to be funded to investment decision point by development partners, with minimal cash required from AFR.
In a previous research carried out by the company early this year, it was revealed that South Africa has the largest power deficit of 21000 MW, followed by Zambia with 1200MW; Zimbabwe has a power deficit of 950MW, while Botswana and Namibia will need 600MW to meet up power demands.
The power shortages in Southern Africa have been due to several challenges which vary per country. South Africa’s power woes came as a result of the state utility Eskom’s inefficiencies; new Eskom mega-stations are beyond schedule and over budget, renewable energy projects are not enough to meet the supply shortfall prompting the South African government to commission tenders from Independent Power Providers’ for coal based-load projects up to 600MW.
In Zambia and Zimbabwe the power shortages have been made worse by the El Niño phenomenon which has caused droughts. The two countries’ over-reliance on hydro schemes has been massively impacted by the current drought resulting in major supply side constraints. Zambia is currently importing power and using diesel.
The supply constraints in Zambia are expected to get better in 2020. Namibia continues to face power challenges as well with the Kudu gas project delayed again due to cost concerns. Further compounding the matter is the 250MW gas project that is yet to be finalised. The country is a net importer of power, creating an opportunity for cross-border IPP sales from new supply.
In the latest company update regarding the power projects, AFR says regional power demand will increase based on Sub Saharan Africa’s forecast population growth, which is the highest globally. Population is forecast to double between 2010 and 2050, with energy consumption forecast to double in same period as well. With no clear strategies on sight regarding the use of clean alternative energy, the coal miner is counting on countries turning to coal as a source of energy. As a result, AFR has positioned itself to focus on regional power demand. The company has a well developed regional interconnected transmission grid which allows wheeling of power throughout the region via SAPP (Southern Africa Power Pool), with a number of key upgrades already planned.
The energy company has also announced that regional demand for new power supply remains strong on the back of industrial demand, creating long-term regional market for new power generation. AFR says the limited competition for new base load supply puts them in a good position to capture the market.
“Zambian hydro-electric projects (comprising ~80% of Zambia’s installed base load capacity) are struggling during droughts, very limited alternative fuels for base load power, currently importing expensive diesel generated power. South Africa is formally seeking 3,750MW via cross-border, coal-fired, for its IPP procurement program. AFR is well placed to supply these markets due to geographic proximity and abundant low-cost coal which provides fuel security,” the company said.
To tackle the power demand in the region, AFR will turn to their three projects: Sese Integrated Power, Mmamabula and Mmamantswe. The Sese JV advanced project has an approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for 300MW.
The company hopes to complete coal supply agreement and submit a mining license application covering enough coal for the initial Sese Integrated Power Project and potential future expansions. AFR has already laid the foundation with the approval of water allocation and lease agreement signed giving Surface Rights for 50 years.
The Mmamabula West project has indicated deposits of good quality thermal coal suitable for power generation and export. The company is in discussions with potential project development partners for mine-mouth power generation opportunities.
There is ongoing amendment of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to include 300MW plus 300MW of power generation plus grid connection. The project is being developed for submission in RSA coal-fired IPP procurement program.
With the Mmamantswe Power Project with an approved EIA of 2000MW, AFR will assist TM Consulting prepare the work programmes to deliver a formal submission in response to South Africa’s coal-fired, cross-border IPP procurement programme. AFR has agreed to sell project for $20 million to the consortium if project bid is shortlisted and/or project is taken to financial close.
African Energy Resources Limited is an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed energy company focussed on developing the Sese Coal Project in eastern Botswana. The 100% owned project is located 50km to the south of the mining hub of Francistown, and is immediately west of the existing rail, road and power corridor which runs the length of eastern Botswana, and which connects through into neighbouring Zimbabwe and South Africa and on into nearby Zambia and Mozambique. AFR trades on the Botswana Stock Exchange’s foreign equity counter under venture capital market board. The stock is currently trading at P0.53 thebe after losing 8.62% in year to date returns.
Business
LLR transforms from Company to Group reporting
Botswana Stock Exchange listed diversified real estate company, Letlole La Rona Limited (“LLR” or “the Company” or “the Group”), posted its first set of group financial statements which comprise the Company and Group consolidated accounts, which show strong financial performance for the six months ended 31 December 2023, with improvements across all key metrics.
The Company commenced the financial year with the appointment of a Deputy Chairperson, Mr Mooketsi Maphane, in order to bolster its governance and enhance leadership continuity through the development of a Board and Executive Management Succession Plan.
At operational level, LLR increased its shareholding in Railpark Mall from 32.79% to 57.79% and proudly took over the management of this prime asset.
The CEO of LLR, Ms Kamogelo Mowaneng commented “During the period under review, our portfolio continued to perform strongly, with improvements across all key metrics as a result of our ongoing focus on portfolio growth and optimisation.
“We are pleased to report a successful first half of the 2024 financial year, where we managed to not only grow the portfolio through strategic acquisitions and value accretive refurbishments but also recycled capital through the disposal of Moedi House as well as the ongoing sale of section titles at Red Square Apartments. The acquisition of an additional 25% stake in JTTM Properties significantly uplifted the value of our investment portfolio to P2.0 billion at a Group level. Our investment portfolio was further differentiated by the quality of our tenant base, as demonstrated by above market occupancy levels of 99.15% and strong collections of above 100% for the period”.
The growth in contractual revenue of 9% from the prior year’s P48.0 million to the current year P52.2 million, increased income from Railpark Mall, coupled with high collection rates, has enabled the company to declare a distribution of 9.11 thebe per linked unit, which is in line with the prior year.
In line with its strategic pillars of ‘Streamlined and Expanded Botswana Portfolio’ as well as ‘Quality African Assets’, the Group continuously monitors the performance of its investments to ensure that they meet the targeted returns.
“The Group continues to explore yield accretive opportunities for balance sheet growth and funding options that can be deployed to finance that growth” further commented the CEO of LLR Ms Kamogelo Mowaneng.
Ms Mowaneng further thanked the Group’s stakeholders for their continued support and stated that they look forward to unlocking further value in the Group.
Business
Botswana’s Electricity Generation Dips 26.4%
The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has reported a significant decrease in electricity generation for the fourth quarter of 2023, with output plummeting by 26.4%. This decline is primarily attributed to operational difficulties at the Morupule B power plant, as per the latest Botswana Index of Electricity Generation (IEG) released recently.
Local electricity production saw a drastic reduction, falling from 889,535 MWH in the third quarter of 2023 to 654,312 MWH in the period under review. This substantial decrease is largely due to the operational challenges at the Morupule B power plant. Consequently, the need for imported electricity surged by 35.6% (136,243 MWH) from 382,426 MWH in the third quarter to 518,669 MWH in the fourth quarter. This increase was necessitated by the need to compensate for the shortfall in locally generated electricity.
Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) was the principal supplier of imported electricity, accounting for 43.1% of total electricity imports during the fourth quarter of 2023. Eskom followed with 21.8%, while the remaining 12.1, 10.3, 8.6, and 4.2% were sourced from Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM), Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Nampower, and Cross-border electricity markets, respectively. Cross-border electricity markets involve the supply of electricity to towns and villages along the border from neighboring countries such as Namibia and Zambia.
Distributed electricity exhibited a decrease of 7.8% (98,980 MWH), dropping from 1,271,961 MWH in the third quarter of 2023 to 1,172,981 MWH in the review quarter.
Electricity generated locally contributed 55.8% to the electricity distributed during the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease from the 74.5% contribution in the same quarter of the previous year. This signifies a decrease of 18.7 percentage points. The quarter-on-quarter comparison shows that the contribution of locally generated electricity to the distributed electricity fell by 14.2 percentage points, from 69.9% in the third quarter of 2023 to 55.8% in the fourth quarter. The Morupule A and B power stations accounted for 90.4% of the electricity generated during the fourth quarter of 2023, while Matshelagabedi and Orapa emergency power plants contributed the remaining 5.9 and 3.7% respectively.
The year-on-year analysis reveals some improvement in local electricity generation. The year-on-year perspective shows that the amount of distributed electricity increased by 8.2% (88,781 MWH), from 1,084,200 MWH in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 1,172,981 MWH in the current quarter. The trend of the Index of Electricity Generation from the first quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2023 indicates an improvement in local electricity generation, despite fluctuations.
The year-on-year analysis also reveals a downward trend in the physical volume of imported electricity. The trend in the physical volume of imported electricity from the first quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2023 shows a downward trend, indicating the country’s continued effort to generate adequate electricity to meet domestic demand, has led to the decreased reliance on electricity imports.
In response to the need to increase local generation and reduce power imports, the government has initiated a new National Energy Policy. This policy is aimed at guiding the management and development of Botswana’s energy sector and encouraging investment in new and renewable energy. In the policy document, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Lefoko Moagi stated that the policy aims to transform Botswana from being a net energy importer to a self-sufficient nation with surplus energy for export into the region. Moagi expressed confidence that Botswana has the potential to achieve self-sufficiency in electric power supply, given the country’s readily available energy resources such as coal and renewable sources.
Business
MMG acquires Khoemacau in a transaction valued at P23Bn
MMG Limited, the Hong Kong-based mining company specializing in base metals, has successfully concluded the acquisition of Khoemacau Copper Mine, a state-of-the-art, world-class copper asset nestled in the northwest of Botswana.
On Monday, MMG announced that the acquisition of Khoemacau Mine in Botswana was finalized on 22nd March 2024. “This acquisition enriches the company’s portfolio with a top-tier, transformative growth project and signifies a monumental milestone in the Company’s journey,” MMG communicated in an official statement published on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Upon completion of the acquisition, MMG remitted to the Sellers an Aggregate Consideration of approximately US$1,734,657,000 (over P23 billion), a sum subject to potential adjustments post-Completion.
In addition to the Aggregate Consideration, MMG, in accordance with the Agreement, advanced an aggregate amount of approximately US$348,580,000 (over P4.5 billion) as the Aggregate Debt Settlement Amount, to settle certain debt balances of the Target Group (Cuprous Capital/Khoemacau).
On November 21, 2023, Khoemacau announced that the shareholders of its parent company [Cuprous Capital] had agreed to sell 100% of their interests to MMG Limited.
MMG is a global resources company that mines, explores, and develops copper and other base metals projects on four continents. The company is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and has a significant shareholder, China Minmetals Corporation, which is China’s largest metals and minerals group owned by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
On December 22, 2023, Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Ltd received the approval from the Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana regarding the transfer of a controlling interest in the Project Licenses and Prospecting Licenses associated with the Khoemacau Copper Mine, a result of the Acquisition.
The Botswana Competition & Consumer Authority (CCA) on January 29, 2024, notified the market that it had given its approval for the takeover of Khoemacau Copper Mining by MMG Limited.
On January 29, 2024, the CCA issued a merger decision to the market, stating that after conducting all necessary assessments, it was ready to proceed.
The Competition Authority affirmed that the structure of the relevant market would not significantly change upon implementation of the proposed merger as the proposed transaction is not likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition, nor endanger the continuity of service in the market of mining of copper and silver ores and the production, and sale or supply of copper concentrate in Botswana.
Furthermore, the CCA stated that the proposed merger would not have any negative impact on public interest matters in Botswana as per the provisions of section 52(2) of the Competition Act 2018.
Earlier this month, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Lefoko Maxwell Moagi, informed parliament that his Ministry was endorsing the Khoemacau acquisition by MMG Limited. He noted that not only was the company acquiring the existing operation but also committing to an expansion program that would cost over $700 million to double production, create more jobs for Batswana, and increase taxes and royalties paid to the Government.