… UNDP funds a solar plant worth E38.6 million
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE – The annual budget for energy at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital will be significantly cut down.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) of Eswatini has revealed that it is supporting a US$2.17 million (E38.6 million) solar plant at the RFM Hospital which will cut the energy bill by US$176 714 (E3.1 million) per year.
Taking it to its official social media pages, UNDP Eswatini said the underway solar plant will also reduce emissions by 200 tons of carbon dioxide at one of Eswatini’s major hospitals.
“Through funding from the Italian Government, we were able to support this project.”
When sought for comment, UNDP Communications Specialist Mantoe Phakathi confirmed the project, however, she could not comment any further.
In the meantime, the Communications Officer to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Sikelela Khoza, said they appreciated the work that was being done by the UNDP, stating that partnering with them has birthed many fruits.
“We are excited that clean ways to generate energy in the hospital has been explored being mindful to the fact that the main universal focus is to revert renewable energy mainly because it does not emit waste,” said Khoza.
He also said this was great news for the hospital as they were going to restructure their budget because they would be spending less on energy (electricity) bills.
“This is a sign that the country is on the road to self-sustainable energy,” said the communications officer.
UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty and build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change and connect countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life.
