POWER TO THE PEOPLE

MPAKA – Canham Mining International has been granted a licence to set up a multibillion Emalangeni coal-fired thermal power station.

The Austialian company obtained the licence ahead of JSW Energy and its partners, the government of Swaziland, as well as the Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC).
SEC is a parastatal (company owned by government).

Canham Mining received the licence towards the end of last year, to generate energy in the country.
The company wants to generate 2 500 megawatts of energy per day, which is 41 times more than the power produced  by SEC’s four hydropower stations – Maguga, Ezulwini, Dwaleni and Maguduza.
It is common knowledge that the four power stations have a combined installed generation capacity of 60.4 megawatts, and contribute 15 to 17 per cent of the total energy consumed in the country, with the rest imported largely from ESKOM in South Africa, and some from Electricidade de Mozambique.

A megawatt is a unit of power equal to one million watts, especially as a measure of the output of a power station.
In case Canham finally produces 2 500 megawatts per day, it effectively means there would be no need for the kingdom to import electricity from ESKOM in South Africa. 
Canham is an Australian company that was represented by Prince Magudvulela, a chief and MP, during negotiations for acquisition of the licence.

The prince is also a former employee of the then Swaziland Electricity Board (SEB), now SEC, where he worked for 27 years as a technician and later a training officer.
JSW, an Indian company, had roped in heavyweight partners in government and SEC in its bid to establish the power station. It was to use coal in Lubhuku, east of Swaziland, to generate, transmit and distribute power to the nation.
This company intended to invest E7 billion while Canham Mining proposed to invest E100 billion and create jobs for over 30 000 workers.

It can be the largest employer in the private sector if it creates jobs for 30 000 people.
The Times SUNDAY can mention that it appeared as if it was going to be easier for JSW to get the licence ahead of Canham Mining International because of its partnership with SEC and the Government of Swaziland.
The partnership was further legitimised in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

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