Tlou Energy Limited, led by Botswana businessman Anthony Gilby, is edging closer to its first-ever connection to Botswana’s national power grid as construction of the long-delayed Lesedi substation reaches 90 percent completion.
Tlou Energy nears grid milestone
The milestone marks a critical turning point for Tlou, Botswana’s most advanced Coal Bed Methane (CBM) developer, positioning the company to deliver domestically produced gas-fired electricity into the national grid for the first time.
In a quarterly update released this week, Tlou said key subcontractors have now been appointed to complete the remaining works at the Lesedi substation, with outstanding items expected to take between two and three months.
The project, initially scheduled for completion in 2025, faced delays largely due to funding constraints, highlighting the capital-intensive nature of early-stage energy infrastructure in frontier markets.
Lesedi substation reaches final stage
Once completed, the Lesedi substation will enable both gas-fired and solar-generated electricity to flow into Botswana’s power network. Beyond gas, Tlou is advancing plans for a five-megawatt solar plant within its Central District licence area, with longer-term ambitions to scale capacity to 20MW. The approach positions Lesedi as a hybrid energy project aimed at improving grid stability and energy security.
Hybrid gas and solar strategy
Tlou already holds a Power Purchase Agreement with Botswana Power Corporation to supply 10MW from the Lesedi project. Management plans to increase output to 25MW in the medium term, with longer-range ambitions to reach 100MW as infrastructure and demand expand.
Power output targets and expansion
For Gilby, nearing grid access represents a decisive inflection point—transitioning Tlou from a development-stage CBM explorer into a power producer aligned with Botswana’s drive to reduce electricity imports and diversify its energy mix.
