In a bid to enhance safety on its streets, cut costs, and reduce dependency on traditional electricity sources, Francistown, the second-largest city in Botswana, is undertaking a transformative project to install solar-powered streetlights. The initiative, led by the Francistown City Council (FCC) and Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), aims to illuminate major thoroughfares and combat crime, making the city a safer and more sustainable place for its residents.
The city’s mayor, Godisang Radisigo, highlighted the need for improved illumination, citing that the current average level stands at a meager 45 percent. To address this, a total of 100 solar LED lamps have been ordered from China, marking the beginning of the city’s transition from the national grid to solar installations.
The first phase of the project will focus on replacing 321 BPC streetlights in the southern parts of Francistown with solar-powered alternatives. Funding for this part of the project is secured through the community constituency project, earmarked for the 2023/24 financial year. As finances permit, an additional 457 BPC streetlights will be replaced in the coming years.
Not only will this shift to solar energy help enhance security, but it is also expected to bring significant financial benefits. According to Francistown municipal accounts manager Sello Isaac, the adoption of solar streetlights is estimated to save the city approximately $15,000 USD per month in electricity bills.
The move towards solar energy extends beyond Francistown, as Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, is also planning to implement solar-powered streetlights. The country as a whole is gradually embracing solar energy as a cost-effective and sustainable solution to its energy needs, with ambitions to establish more solar plants nationwide, subject to securing necessary investments.
For the citizens of Francistown, the implementation of solar streetlights comes as a much-needed relief from the challenges posed by inadequate lighting. Tshepo Maine, an informal trader, recalled being mugged due to poor street lighting during load shedding. With streetlights regularly going out during power blackouts, the city’s streets have become hotspots for criminal activities, affecting both pedestrians and motorists alike.
A survey conducted by the police in January 2021 highlighted the concerns of Francistown’s residents, with only slightly over 20 percent feeling safe walking alone at night, particularly during load shedding.
With the sun providing a free and abundant source of energy, embracing solar power is seen as a practical step forward for Francistown and Botswana as a whole. The initiative not only promises to make the city safer but also represents a vital contribution to the global efforts of sustainable energy transition.
