Situated in Southern Africa, Eswatini, formerly referred to as Swaziland, is a compact landlocked nation home to just over 1 million inhabitants. Despite its modest proportions, in recent years Eswatini has undertaken significant steps towards transforming its energy sector and accommodating its citizens’ escalating demand for electricity. This piece casts light on Eswatini’s present energy scenario and its prospective trajectory as it endeavours to diversify energy resources and augment access to electricity.
At present, the state-owned Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) holds a majority share in Eswatini’s energy market. Tasked with the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity within the country, the EEC operates three hydropower plants and one diesel power plant, with a combined capacity of approximately 70 megawatts (MW). Nonetheless, this output falls short of the nation’s estimated electricity demand of 200 MW, necessitating heavy reliance on imports from adjacent nations, notably South Africa and Mozambique.
Prompted by the urgent necessity to diversify energy resources and diminish import dependency, Eswatini’s government has initiated an ambitious scheme to amplify the nation’s renewable energy capabilities. Unveiled in 2018, the Eswatini Energy Master Plan 2034 provides a comprehensive blueprint for the advancement of the energy sector over the next decade and a half, setting targets for 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2034.
A crucial element of the Energy Master Plan is the progression of solar power projects. Blessed with abundant solar resources and an average solar irradiation of roughly 5.5 kWh/m2/day, Eswatini presents an optimal site for solar power generation. The government has made significant strides to entice private investment into this sector, manifesting in the formation of a feed-in tariff programme and competitive bidding process for solar power project development.
In 2019, Eswatini granted contracts for two solar power projects, boasting a total capacity of 40 MW. The first, a 10 MW solar power facility in Lavumisa, is a joint venture between the EEC and a private enterprise. The second, a 30 MW solar power installation in Matsapha, is being developed by an independent power producer. Both initiatives are projected to be operational by 2022, substantially augmenting the country’s renewable energy capacity.
Beyond solar energy, Eswatini is also investigating alternative renewable energy sources such as wind and biomass. Numerous potential sites for wind power development have been pinpointed, offering wind speeds ranging from 6 to 8 metres per second. Additionally, Eswatini’s substantial biomass resources, particularly sugar cane residues, present opportunities for electricity generation through cogeneration.
The evolution of Eswatini’s energy in renewable sector bears the potential for significant national benefits, including enhanced energy security, reduced import dependency, and diminished greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, improved electricity access, especially in rural areas, can elevate the living standards of Eswatini’s citizens and bolster the nation’s economic growth.
In summary, whilst Eswatini’s energy market is currently marked by substantial import dependency and limited domestic generation, the government’s commitment to energy diversification and renewable energy integration provides an optimistic future forecast. Through sustained investment in solar, wind, and biomass projects, Eswatini stands poised to emerge as a regional pioneer in renewable energy and fulfil its ambitious energy goals by 2034.
