The Ministry of Natural Resources & Energy reveals that it is working on ratifying the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Energy Protocol. The Protocol will enable regional countries to sell energy to each other at reduced rates and further aid in ensuring the security of the energy supply.
By Ntokozo Nkambule
The Kingdom of Eswatini says it is working tirelessly to produce enough energy to sustain itself by 2025.
Thabile Nkosi, the Director of Energy at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, disclosed this in an interview with the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS). Nkosi said there are a number of projects that they are working on to ensure the security of the energy supply in the country.
“There is a solar project that we believe can provide us with 70 megawatts, and a biomass project that is earmarked to provide 40 megawatts for the country. These projects are being run by the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) working closely with Independent Power Producers (IPPs)”
She said these projects are anticipated to be complete by the year(s) 2025/26. The Director highlighted that they are working on increasing the energy supply in the country by 80 megawatts using biomass. She added that they have also conducted a feasibility study on generating energy using hydroelectric power.
“We are working on increasing the electricity supply using hydroelectric power; to that effect, we have conducted a feasibility study at Maguga Dam which can enable us to increase the energy supply by 33 megawatts. Lower-Maguduza on the other hand can provide us with 13 megawatts”
The Ministry further revealed during the interview that they are working on ratifying the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Energy Protocol. She said the Energy Protocol has been revived and focuses more on renewable energy.
“Eswatini is ready to sign the Energy Protocol, as it will help countries in the region to be able to sell energy to each other at reduced rates. SADC has further established an institution to help countries in relation to renewable energy efficiency. The institution is known as the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE)”
She said countries in the region have to ratify the instrument that enables the institution. The instrument is known as the Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Agreement.