Government policy objectives and their implications for the development of new and renewable energy resources are examined. Renewable energy resources of major importance in Botswana are biomass, solar, and wind. Government policy and programmes, and the effects of regional and international developments in these aspects of renewable energy are considered in detail. Woody biomass exploitation and issues of sustainability of harvesting rates and the environment are also discussed. The place of renewable energy within the long established and well developed rural electrification programme is also examined, and a case for a comprehensive and separate rural energy policy is made. Research and Development as well as Demonstration, Dissemination, and Diffusion of renewable energy technologies are discussed, particularly in relation to energy technology acquisition, adaptation, education and job creation.