RENEWABLE ENERGY VALUABLE 2023 INVESTMENT

MBABANE – Biomass is imperative to Eswatini as the country is currently working on increasing local generation of electricity.

The supply of electricity would transpose beyond 2025 as Eswatini Electricity Company’s (EEC) contract with Eskom South Africa lapse. EEC currently imports about 70 per cent of its electricity from neighbouring countries, among which is South Africa, where electricity is generated by Eskom.

The government of Eswatini and business community have urged investors to envisage possible outcomes of investing towards biomass for the purpose of generating electricity. They postulated biomass energy can be derived from wood and agricultural products, solid waste, landfill gas and alcohol fuels. The above listed products are exorbitant in the sugar and textile industry, which, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, attested to be key players in biomass energy production.

In an interview with this publication, Khumalo said localising the generation of electricity was advantageous to the country. The minister said investors would yield tangible return as they would contribute to the local power grid, supplying both urban and rural areas. He said since the contract was expiring, local businesses capable of producing electricity should commence production.

“Biomass production is currently imperative to the country as we are working on increasing local generation of electricity to limit imports,” he said. The minister annexed to the paramount role investors play in the production. He said the augment of funds towards this project would assist subside the demand of electricity locally. EEC said their objective in the next five years was to increase local generation of electricity and deliver affordable and reliable electricity while simultaneously ensuring long-term financial stability of the company.

They said they also aim to promote growth of local suppliers and value chains within the realms of affordability and requisite quality standards; and have a culture of accountability, high performance, and good customer experience.
“The strategy requires that we critically exhibit the company values of service excellence, respect, social responsibility, honesty and integrity. We look to our stakeholders to hold us accountable and actively assist us to achieve the same,” EEC said. Business Eswatini (BE) and Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) organised ‘Power-Talks’ which took place at the BE War Room.

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