Throughout the years, efforts were focused on reducing the Corporation's activities' impact on wildlife, Greenhouse Gas (GHG's) emissions and the landscape and thus striking a balance between the interests of industry and the effective use and conservation of resources.
The replacement of uninsulated low voltage overhead line conductor with insisted Ariel Bundled Conductor (ABC) in the distribution network blends in well with the above environmental concerns, in that little if any tree clearing is done to facilitate low voltage line construction. Generation waste management by the Corporation has focused on the following activities:
- ash disposal;
- waste water treatment;
- ground water pollution monitoring; and
- Greenhouse Gas emission monitoring.
As a mitigation measure, the Corporation supports research projects for provision of electricity using other efficient alternatives to thermally generated electricity, and is working with some international forums that are currently involved in a pilot project for supply of electricity using alternative source such solar. As a project to encourage efficient use of energy, Botswana Power Corporation has installed 1 million Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL's) in households across the Country and analysis for energy savings are being conducted.
In the medium term, customers are educated on the efficient use of electricity with a view to mitigating the level of emissions due to thermal generation. The Corporation's commitment to sound environmental management makes sure that all impacts are managed to give maximum benefits to every community it serves. Environment is important to the Corporation's planning and operations. As public awareness gives rise to more and more rigorous environmental regulations on a planetary, regional and local scale, the Corporation is committed to:
- Inform and consult concerned government agencies and populations early in the project planning process;
- Participate in the SAPP regional forums on environmental issues.
To address some of the challenges, an environmental or a sustainable development policy is being formulated that will serve the Corporation and the nation well into the future.
