GOVT TO SPEED UP DELIVERY OF 75MW SOLAR PROJECTS

MBABANE – The Government of Eswatini has assured its development partners of its commitment to speedy delivery of the proposed 75 megawatts (MW) solar projects.

Last week, the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela met with the government development partners, being the Trinity International (Transactional Advisors), ACED, EDF and Voltalia, among others. The purpose of these engagements was to seek an alignment on the programme of action on the recently awarded projects of 75MW. This meeting was held on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum held in Spain from June 25 – 28, 2024.

Engagement

The minister was accompanied by senior officials from the Eswatini Electricity Company and Eswatini Regulatory Energy (ESERA) among others. The minister in his engagement with the partners assured the partners of government’s support and commitment and support to the speedy delivery of the projects. He highlighted that Independent Power Producers (IPP) were encouraged to participate. The meetings were without doubt very productive, resulting in a planned follow-up meeting to take place in Eswatini with a few to accelerate delivery of the ongoing procurement of renewable projects.

The bilateral meeting held with EDF, among other things, discussed job opportunities for emaSwati to participate in renewable energy business through growing biomass feedstock. EDF is an energy provider, supplying electricity and gas to homes and businesses in the United Kingdom (UK). It is estimated that the ongoing first phase of biomass procurement, approximately 260 000 tonnes will; be required per year. EDF shared with experience in the Ivory Coast, where they operate a 46MW biomass and biomass is produced by SMEs.
Prince Lonkhokhela then implored ESERA and EDF to accelerate their deliberations for earlier delivery of the project, which was much needed by Eswatini.

Capacities

It is worth noting that last year ESERA published its intention to award contracts to preferred bidders for 75MW solar PV generation capacities in line with Section 26 of the Electricity Act of 2007. This was the second time the intention to award notice was published as the first was made in 2021.  The tender was originally launched in March 2020. The preferred bidders or companies include Africa Clean Energy Development, which is a South African company.  This company is set to be responsible for the 20MW power generation at Ngwenya. Globeleq Africa Holdings Limited from the United Kingdom (UK), will be responsible for the 15MW power generation at Ngwenya. This company will also be responsible for the 15MW power generation at Balekani.

The 15MW Balekane and 15MW Ngwenya projects will be located on separate parcels of private land in North Western Eswatini, in the Hhohho Region, and connected to the existing Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) transmission system. Connection works will be undertaken by the Globeleq-Sturdee consortium and once commissioned, the new transmission lines and associated substation equipment will be transferred to the EEC, which will be responsible for their operation and maintenance.

Similarities

Meanwhile last Tuesday (July 25), Price Lonkhekhela, together with other Energy ministers from across the continent, participated in the closed-door Ministerial Roundtable for Energy ministers to discuss and share policy similarities and differences on Energy. The meeting focused on energy systems of the future – balancing Africa’s needs with global goals. In presenting the Eswatini energy agenda, the minister highlighted the urgent need to ensure notational security of simply and the need for collaboration across the continent. He further highlighted the need for a wider African collaborative effort and need to strengthen the regional transmission grid to enable flow of power across the continent. Eswatini is a member of the Southern Power Pool (SAPP) and Regional Energy Regulators (RERA).

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