The Principal Secretary (PS) at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Lindiwe Mbingo, says that although Eswatini boasts a high 88% electrification rate, certain communities remain inaccessible to the national grid.
Mbingo disclosed this during the ongoing Sustainable Energy Week (SEW) in Gaborone.
Mbingo was speaking during a panel discussion entitled “Energy for Development: The Critical Role of Off-Grid Renewables in Empowering Lives and Livelihoods.”
She said that the role of off-grid renewable energy solutions in driving economic and social development in the Southern African region is massive.
“In Eswatini, the government envisions off-grid solutions playing a vital role in ensuring universal access to electricity, in line with the nation’s 2030 targets. While Eswatini boasts a relatively high electrification rate of 88%, certain communities remain inaccessible for grid extension. However, in addressing the critical question of the role of off-grid renewables in socio-economic development to close the gap towards the 100% electrification target, the government has initiated pilot projects for mini-grids and solar home systems. This will not only improve the standard of living for remote communities but also contribute to sustainable development,” she said.
The PS further shared that the support to access clean water, particularly in rural communities has led the government to pilot solar water pumping schemes.
“We are pleased with the Kingdom’s successes in ensuring electrification for health facilities, while also recognizing the potential role of off-grid renewables in improving resilience and reducing costs for the health sector. The Kingdom’s recent partnership with UNICEF Eswatini to deploy solar PV systems in rural and urban health facilities is a significant step in rural electrification. This collaboration aims to increase electricity reliability and reduce operational costs, particularly in rural clinics that often experience power outages,” she said.
Additionally, Mbingo stressed the value of off-grid renewable energy solutions in enhancing agricultural productivity through sustainable irrigation methods. She also highlighted the government’s commitment to advancing renewable energy access and transition highlighting the recently launched project “Catalyzing Renewable Energy Access and Transition in Eswatini.
“This project aims to equip smallholder farmers, MSMEs, women, youth, and vulnerable groups with the skills and knowledge to access renewable energy funding, thereby supporting the country’s energy security and inclusive economic growth. However, there is a strong need to accelerate the deployment of off-grid solutions while also prioritizing policy development that promotes these solutions and manages the responsible disposal of renewable energy waste,” she concluded.