Botswana Solar Data Center Deal

Key Figures & Findings: AAAS Energy, a Dutch developer, has signed an MoU with US-based ChillMine to build a solar-powered data center campus at the Leupane Energy Hub near Palapye, Botswana. The facility will serve global hyperscalers and AI-driven cloud computing operations, leveraging the hub’s planned 250 MW of solar power and 100 MW/400 MWh of battery storage, with capacity for up to 500 MW solar and 200 MW gas-fired power. The partnership links Botswana’s emerging renewable energy capacity with the growing demand for digital infrastructure.

Statistics & Insights: The data center will be integrated into the Southern African Power Pool, with the broader hub expected to reach 500 MW of solar generation capacity. ChillMine has also signed an MoU in Zimbabwe to power data centers with a planned 100 MW solar park in Zvishavane. AAAS already operates solar projects in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Uganda, reinforcing its regional presence.

Future Implications: If delivered as planned, the Botswana data center could position the country as a regional hub for sustainable cloud infrastructure, merging renewable energy with digital growth. The project may also create a blueprint for pairing large-scale solar capacity with Africa’s expanding demand for energy-intensive computing.

Source: BeBeez

Quick Take: Botswana’s Leupane hub to host a solar-powered data center campus, aligning renewable energy with Africa’s digital economy ambitions.