Times Of Swaziland: Eswatini charts new energy future

Eswatini charts new energy future
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Thobeka Manyathela on 18/05/2025 08:46:00


MBABANE - According to the National Energy Policy (NEP), the Government of
Eswatini identified energy as a cornerstone for economic and social development.
The policy highlights the need for clear, practical and measurable actions that
ensure both the country’s macroeconomic development goals and sustainable
energy access for all citizens.
The NEP 2018 is an update to the first national energy policy of 2003, which,
policy drafters note, successfully increased the national electrification rate
from just five per cent in 2003 to a remarkable 69 per cent by 2016. The rates
might have changed from then to 2025. “This leap is one of several critical
advances achieved under the previous policy,” the document states, crediting
further progress like fewer prolonged outages, the formation of the Electricity
and Regulatory Authority via the 2007 Act, and the entry of independent power
producers through the 2016 IPP Policy.
The policy highlights similar achievements in the petroleum sector -  network
expansion across Eswatini, transparent fuel pricing since 2005, strengthened
safety and establishment of a petroleum product testing laboratory. Despite
these strides, the policy notes that ‘energy poverty’ persists, particularly
in cooking energy and among households unable to initiate productive activities.
One key reason, the policy emphasises, is Eswatini’s import dependence for
energy, especially from neighbouring South Africa.
“This dependency exposes Eswatini to economic and security risks, as the cost
of peak imports often exceeds the price at which energy is sold domestically,”
the NEP states.
The policy thus stresses the urgent need for long-term domestic power purchase
agreements (PPAs) and diversification of supply.
The revised policy broadens Eswatini’s definition of energy security and
development.
“We accept energy poverty as the absence of sufficient choice in accessing
adequate, affordable, reliable, quality, safe and environmentally benign energy
services to support economic and human development,” the policy states.”
supply chains
A ‘paradigm shift’ is called for, moving beyond legacy energy planning that
focused narrowly on existing consumers and import supply chains. The policy
argues that while electrification rates have soared, actual power consumption
has not kept pace. For example, the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) increased
its customers from 88 182 in 2010 to 150 602 in 2015 with only a modest increase
in electricity sales, due in part to increased co-generation and the closure of
major industries. It might have tremendously increased from then to 2025.
The 2018 NEP is positioned as an ‘umbrella framework’ supporting other
landmark policies, such as the Petroleum Bill, the Independent Power Producer
Policy, and the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative.
The policy also lays groundwork for Eswatini’s National Energy Efficiency
Policy and aligns with broader national strategies like the National Development
Plan (NDP) and the National Climate Change Policy.
Drawing from the National Development Strategy, the NEP identifies three pillars
for energy sector transformation:
l    Research & development,
l    Energy efficiency,
l    Expanded access to modern energy.
The policy calls for a sharp focus on domestic electricity generation and
innovation in renewable technologies, including solar, wind, hydro and biomass.
“Identifying options for domestic electricity generation and access is
fundamental for inclusive economic growth,” the document highlights.
Regionally, the policy reiterates Eswatini’s commitments to the Southern
African Development Community (SADC), the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and
the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), placing a premium on
energy policy harmonisation and competitive market integration.
SAPP membership, the policy notes, presents the opportunity for local generation
to participate in cross-border electricity trading. The NEP concludes that,
while Eswatini has made commendable strides in electrification and energy
access, a transformative shift is required to address persistent energy poverty,
vulnerability to external shocks and slow industrial growth.
By promoting domestic generation, job creation and regional cooperation — and
by setting a comprehensive framework for implementation — the policy aims to
secure a ‘reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future’ for all
emaSwati.