By Phiwa Sikhondze
Business Eswatini has unveiled a major milestone in the nation’s renewable energy sector with the launch of a Developer’s Guide for Solar Photovoltaic Embedded Generation in Eswatini.
The Guide was unveiled during BE’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini earlier today.
This Developer Guide is a “reference document” to inform early market exploration, specifically aimed at new entrants to the Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) market in Eswatini.
The Guide, titled “Eswatini: Solar PV-Embedded Generation Market (Developer Guide)”, is a joint effort by BE and the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC), developed with support from GIZ, GET.Invest, and GET.Transform, and funded by the EU Delegation in Eswatini.
It offers a comprehensive overview of the renewable energy sector, providing valuable insights for both potential and existing investors. Its purpose is to streamline investments in the growing renewable energy market of Eswatini.
The AGM brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, who underscored the significance of this Guide in Eswatini’s economic and environmental future. He emphasized that the government remains fully committed to fostering a business-friendly environment and called on the private sector to leverage the new guide to further develop the renewable energy landscape.
“This guide is more than a document; it is a roadmap that will help investors, developers, and policymakers navigate the renewable energy sector in Eswatini,” Khumalo said.
“We cannot afford to overlook the importance of renewable energy in meeting our future energy needs. By investing in renewable energy, we reduce our dependence on imported power, strengthen our energy independence, and place ourselves on the path to a sustainable future.”
Karsten Mecklenburg, the Ambassador-designate of the EU Delegation to Eswatini, echoed the importance of private sector involvement in the energy transition.
He noted that the Renewable Energy Developer’s Guide serves as a critical tool for entrepreneurs interested in the Small-Scale Embedded Generation market, offering comprehensive insights into processes and standards for project development.
“The tool, if used at its full potential, will stimulate employment, entrepreneurship, and increase the knowledge of the processes and standards in the Embedded Generation space,” Mecklenburg said. He further encouraged stakeholders to access the GET.invest platform, which provides advisory and financing opportunities for renewable energy projects.
BE President, Mvuselelo Fakudze highlighted the extensive collaboration behind the guide’s creation. He thanked the EU Delegation, GIZ, GET.Invest, and GET.Transform for their continued support, particularly in driving Small-Scale Embedded Generation projects and policy development over the last two years. Fakudze pointed to the guide as a key instrument that aligns with the organization’s goal of making Eswatini a leader in renewable energy within the region.
“We envision a future where sustainable energy drives our economy, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and ensuring long-term energy security,” Fakudze stated, encouraging stakeholders to participate in shaping Eswatini’s renewable energy future.
The launch of the guide comes at a crucial time when Eswatini is looking to address both its energy security and climate change concerns. The Minister of Finance has previously emphasized the need for collaboration across sectors to overcome energy challenges during the EU Green Power Transformation Forum, held just a week before the AGM.
As Eswatini continues to develop its renewable energy capacity, the Renewable Energy Developer’s Guide is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating investments in solar, wind, and other sustainable energy solutions.