MISS ESWATINI PRIZE’S OPERATIONAL STATUS

MBABANE – As Miss Eswatini announced their grand prize for the year as a fully electric car, the pageant can rest easy as the country will be receiving its first charging station.

Eswatini is taking steps towards the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) by establishing public EV charging stations. The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) has issued an expression of interest (EoI) for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of three pilot sites for EV charging stations in the country.  This revolutionary move of Miss Eswatini to award a car of this calibre signals a significant shift towards sustainability in the country. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, Eswatini sets an inspiring example by embracing a greener future. This was further confirmed by Oukitel Eswatini’s Esihle Felicity Dlamini when reached for comment. She said that more prizes are yet to be announced. “Yes, it’s true. There’s more, we will announce on our page,” Dlamini said.

The heart of this year’s grand prize lies in the sleek and eco-friendly BMW i3, a fully electric car that symbolises a clean and sustainable future. According to Oukitel Eswatini’s Facebook page, the BMW i3 will come equipped with a portable power station, allowing the winner to charge the car at all times. Gone are the days of worrying about rising petrol prices; as long as there is sunlight or electricity, the Miss Eswatini 2024 winner will be ready to hit the road. The BMW i3, valued at over E300 000 according to ‘Cars.co.za,’ showcases Eswatini’s dedication to sustainable living. By awarding a fully electric vehicle as the grand prize, Oukitel Eswatini amplifies the importance of reducing carbon emissions and embracing renewable energy sources. This move not only recognises the pressing need for sustainability, but also positions Eswatini as a country that takes environmental responsibility seriously. EEC, the driver of the stations, is a vertically integrated power utility responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Eswatini.  

Emissions

The country has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to emerging technologies like electric vehicles. The EU’s plan to ban the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035 further emphasises the need for Eswatini to embrace EVs. The project involves the installation of EV charging stations at three pilot sites in the country. The selected service provider will be responsible for the system design, integration, testing, warranty, maintenance, documentation and customer services. The charging stations should be capable of providing 60kW charging for a single vehicle and at least 30kW simultaneous charging for two vehicles. The scope of work for the EV charging service provider includes identifying and prioritising the installation locations, construction of civil works, procurement and installation of charging equipment, ensuring interoperability and payment systems, signage, operation and maintenance for at least three years, billing and revenue models and customer support services.

The closing date for the Expression of Interest (EOI) was Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at 11:00. Upon sign-off of the installation, the service provider will transfer ownership of the EV charging stations and related agreements to the EEC, while continuing to operate and maintain the stations for a total period of three years from commissioning. In South Africa, the country is expanding its electric car charging infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of EVs on its roads. The construction of an electric car charging station involves several stages, including planning, site selection, permits and approvals, equipment installation and network integration. The timeline can vary depending on various factors such as the size of the station, location and complexity of the installation. The construction of charging stations in South Africa has gained momentum in recent years. However, the exact timeline for building each station can vary depending on the factors above. On average, it takes around three years to build a charging station, from planning to network integration.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: