ENERGY SECTOR OVERVIEW

The Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) operates four hydropower stations, which provide 60.4 MW of power and are 15-17% of the total energy consumed in Swaziland. The rest of the power used is imported from South Africa (ESKOM) and some from Mozambique (EDM).

GENERATION CAPACITY

• Installed Capacity: 60 MW
  • Hydro: 60 MW
• Power Africa New MW to Date Reached Financial Close: N/A
• Power Africa 2030 Pipeline: N/A

CONNECTIONS

• Current Access Rate: 66%
  • Rural: 61% Urban: 83%
• Households without Power: 46,948
  • Target: Universal Access by 2025
• Power Africa New Connections to Date: N/A

INVESTMENT AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

Biggest Issues

1. Lack of clarity in roles for procurement between the Swaziland Energy Regulatory Authority (SERA) and SEC
2. Need for incentives to improve electricity service performance and system to track performance standards
3. Historical reliance on power imports from South Africa
4. Limited ability to provide credit enhancement
5. Utility concerns about large scale integration of intermittent renewables

Power Africa Interventions

1. Power Africa will work with SERA and SEC to determine the best approach for power tenders
2. Support development and tracking of key performance indicators
3. Support for public and private sector driven projects to increase local generation
4. Power Africa will work to improve the planning, operational, and trading capabilities of SEC and other market participants

POWER AFRICA’S ENGAGEMENT IN ESWATINI

MW GENERATION

Power Africa’s presence is nascent in eSwatini, operating under the Southern Africa Energy Program (SAEP), which commenced in 2017. Power Africa is assisting with a number of transactions such SEC’s Lavumisa and the Swaziland Water Service Corporation’s solar PV project (each 10MW), the Royal Swazi Sugar Company’s 5MW solar procurement, and two IPP transactions (30 MW and 25 MW).

CONNECTIONS

As Power Africa has only recently started its work plan in eSwatni, and planning for new connections is under review.