ESERA revenue up 0.3% to E48.87m

MBABANE – The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) has reported stable financial performance for the 2024/25 financial year.

The energy regulator recorded a total revenue increasing slightly by 0.3 percent to E48.87 million, up from E48.72 million in the previous year.

The regulator continued to rely predominantly on licence fees as its principal source of funding, while project income recorded a significant 62.3 per cent surge driven by improved implementation of externally funded initiatives.

According to the authority’s annual report for the year ended March 2025, project income rose from E2.69 million to E4.37 million, marking one of the report’s strongest indicators of operational growth.

ESERA recorded a notable turnaround in operating cash flow, shifting from a deficit of E1.15 million in 2023/24 to a positive E115 132 in the year under review. The authority attributed this improvement to enhanced financial controls and more efficient operational processes.

Accounts receivable decreased by 44 per cent, from E4.22 million to E2.36 million, reflecting more stringent credit management and strengthened revenue collection. Capital expenditure also declined markedly to E1.09 million, down from E3.06 million, consistent with efforts to optimise investments and focus on priority projects.

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… electrification access rises to 88%

MBABANE – The national electrification access rate rose from 82 per cent in 2022/23 to 88 per cent in 2024/25, reflecting continued progress in extending electricity to underserved areas.

This growth is attributed mainly to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy and the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) through the Rural Electrification and Access Programme.

Regional performance

• Manzini registered the highest number of new connections.
• Shiselweni, despite having the lowest overall access, achieved the highest growth rate, with a 6.59 per cent increase in new connections — well above the national average of 4.58 per cent.

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Solar PV installer accreditation programme advances

MBABANE – Substantial progress was achieved under the Solar PV Installer Accreditation Programme.

This is a programme developed by ESERA, in partnership with the Directorate of Industrial and Vocational Training (DIVT) and key development partners.

The programme seeks to strengthen quality assurance and technical compliance amid rapid growth in the renewable energy sector.

Key achievements under Phase 1 completed included:

• Development of the national solar installer training and accreditation framework
• Creation of training materials and assessment structures
• Establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG)
• Engagement of Green Solar Academy, a regional training leader
• Implementation of the Training of Assessors (ToA) programme
• Training of five assessors using the PV Green Card model

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