About Company
Jindal Africa, a subsidiary of India’s Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), is actively developing the Mmamabula Energy Project in Botswana. This initiative encompasses coal mining and power generation, aiming to bolster Botswana’s energy capacity and economic growth.
🔋 Mmamabula Energy Project Overview
-
Location: Mmaphashalala, Central District, approximately 130 km north of Gaborone.
-
Project Scope: Development of a 300 MW (net) coal-fired power plant, with plans to expand to 600 MW in the future.
-
Fuel Source: Coal from Jindal’s own Mmamabula coal mine, which holds over 3 billion tonnes of thermal coal reserves.
-
Employment: The project is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation phases.
🤝 Partnership with Botswana Power Corporation (BPC)
In 2023, Jindal Energy signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with BPC. Under this agreement, Jindal will build, own, and operate the power plant, supplying electricity to BPC over a 30-year period.
🌍 Economic and Strategic Significance
-
Investment: The project represents one of the largest foreign direct investments in Botswana’s history, with an estimated investment exceeding P20 billion.
-
Energy Independence: The power plant aims to meet Botswana’s growing energy demands and reduce reliance on energy imports.
-
Regional Integration: The Mmamabula–Lephalale Railway is a proposed infrastructure project intended to connect the Mmamabula coalfields in Botswana with Lephalale in South Africa. This railway aims to facilitate the transportation of coal from Botswana to South Africa for power generation and potential export via South African ports.
🌱 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives
Jindal Africa has committed to community development through a P10 million CSR project launched in 2024. This initiative includes donations of school textbooks, medical equipment, and support for women’s economic empowerment in the Mahalapye District.