What if Eswatini doesn't invest in renewables?

As the globe shifts to cleaner energy, Eswatini faces economic losses if it does not invest in renewables.

Is Eswatini a sustainable country?

A nation that has long relied on neighboring South Africa and Mozambique for unsustainable fossil fuel-based electricity imports, renewable energy in Eswatini is quickly diversifying. The transformative journey culminated at the COP26 conference, where Eswatini committed to an ambitious 50% surge in renewable energy production by 2030.

What is the main energy source in Eswatini?

Hydroelectric power currently stands as one of the most prominent energy sources in Eswatini. The EEC operates four hydropower plants, constituting 15% of the country’s electricity production and plans to bolster the existing infrastructure.

How is the Swazi government advancing its energy infrastructure?

In collaboration with private entities and foreign aid programs, the Swazi government is taking crucial and necessary steps to advance its energy infrastructure and deliver power to the 17% of the population (more than 200,000 people) living without it.

What is Eswatini's 'just energy transition'?

The policy brief presents a road plan for the Kingdom’s Just Energy Transition. It seeks to link growth and development with Eswatini’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) pledge to generate 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, as well as COP28’s goal of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2048.

Could Eswatini plug the energy deficit?

Looking into renewables, the policy brief shows that Eswatini’s estimated theoretical and technical hydropower potential is 440MW and 110MW, respectively, while utility-scale solar potential is estimated at 542MW. “Given a short-term project demand of 310MW, this could plug the energy deficit, plus some,” it said.