Hatch reaps major contract wins on back of new Botswana office
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In October 2016, Hatch was tasked to provide design, engineering, and supervision services for the coal stockpile shed at Morupule, the largest power station in Botswana. Due to high rainfall, the power station had experienced major disruptions to its generating capacity over the last few years.
“We leveraged our experience in Chile, South Africa, and Ethiopia to win what is an important project for us and this influential client, allowing Hatch to continue building a strong reputation in Botswana,” Stephen Stacey, Managing Director, Botswana, Project Delivery Group, comments.
Hatch was also awarded a major project by Botswana Oil, the national oil company, where it deployed a global team spearheaded by Mimi van Noordwyk from the Johannesburg office. “Our role as technical advisor will help our client technically define and quantify the value proposition for a coal-to-liquids (CTL) facility in this landlocked African country.”
Despite having abundant low-cost coal reserves, Botswana relies heavily on imports to meet its liquid fuel requirements. “This initiative has the potential to evolve into a strategic imperative of national importance for Botswana,” Pauli Baumann, XTL Industry Lead, explains.
The development of such a major CTL facility is expected to generate massive employment opportunities. It will also boost the value of local natural resources, providing both greater energy security for Botswana.
“Hatch will utilise its diverse experience in coal mining, unconventional oil and gas technology, power generation, and industrial infrastructure to support Botswana Oil in this endeavour,” Baumann concludes. Hatch is also tendering on Phase 2 of the North-South Carrier (NSC) pipeline, which conveys raw water south for 360 km to Gaborone.
“This is testament to how our presence in the region supports the government’s recently-launched economic stimulus programme aimed to grow the local economy, and diversify it from its dependency on diamond mining,” Stacey points out.
“It is our intention to grow the Botswana office to about ten people by the end of 2017, and to 50 people with five years,” Stacey highlights. The aim is to establish a significant local presence, with local shareholding and local employees.
The Hatch office in Gaborone was launched officially at a function on the evening of Thursday 27 October 2016. The keynote address at the opening was delivered by Botswana’s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development Nonofo Molefhi.
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Notes to the editor
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About Hatch
Hatch supplies process and business consulting, information technology, engineering, procurement and project and construction management and operational services to the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure industries.
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