In a victory for Eswatini’s drive toward energy sovereignty, the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) has officially announced that the 20 MWac (23.14 MWdc) Tsamela Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant has achieved financial close.
In the world of infrastructure and project finance, financial close is the point of no return. It is the moment when all the project’s financing agreements have been signed, and all the conditions required by the lenders have been met.
Developed by Anthem, the E400 million facility is located near the Ngwenya border in the Hhohho Region. This milestone is not merely a financial formality, it marks the very first project to reach this critical stage under the 75 MW First Tranche Solar PV Procurement Programme, a strategic initiative launched to diversify the Kingdom’s energy mix.
The Tsamela project represents a long-term commitment to the national grid. Under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the plant will supply electricity directly to the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC).
Construction officially commenced in April 2026. If the project maintains its current momentum, the Commercial Operations Date (COD) is expected within the next 15 months, potentially injecting power into the grid by mid-2027.
Eswatini has historically relied heavily on electricity imports from South Africa and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The Tsamela project is designed to disrupt this dependency.
The project is expected to generate an initial output of 47,788 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy during its first year of operation. With a total capacity of 20 MWac (alternating current) or 23.14 MWdc (direct current), this initiative marks a significant step forward for the nation.
Implemented in consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, the project is a tangible result of the Electricity Act of 2007. ESERA noted that the achievement is a testament to the collaboration between developers, stakeholders, and development partners.
“This milestone marks a significant advancement in the Kingdom’s energy sector… The Authority remains committed to ensuring the successful construction, commissioning, and operation of the project in line with national energy objectives,” ESERA stated in an official release.
As the Kingdom grapples with regional energy volatility, the successful financing of the Tsamela Solar project sends a signal to international investors that Eswatini’s renewable energy sector is open for business and moving toward a greener, self-sufficient future.