The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has ordered 100 solar LED lamps from China to replace the city’s streetlights. The mayor of Francistown City Council (FCC), Godisang Radisigo, stated that the city currently has a poor illumination level of 45%, but they expect to illuminate the main streets.
Radisigo also mentioned that the council will replace 321 BPC streetlights in the southern parts of Francistown with solar streetlights using funding from the community constituency project. The remaining 457 streetlights will be replaced when funds become available.
Solar streetlights will reduce electricity bills by approximately $15,000 per month, according to Sello Isaac, the municipal accounts manager of Francistown.
The installation of solar-powered streetlights is also planned for other cities in Botswana, including the capital city, Gaborone.
Botswana is increasingly adopting solar energy projects to meet its energy needs. The country hopes to build more solar plants nationwide, pending sufficient investment.
“Solar power is a logical choice because it’s free, and the municipality lacks funds to maintain public amenities,” said Unangoni Khumalo, a vendor in Francistown.
Although the crime situation in Francistown cannot be compared to that of larger cities, the city is not exempt from criminal activities.
Tshepo Maine, an informal trader along Blue Jacket Street, shared a personal experience of being mugged during a power outage. With streetlights frequently going out, the city has become a haven for criminal activities.
A survey conducted by the police in January 2021 revealed that just over 20% of Francistown’s residents feel safe walking alone at night, especially during power outages.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
