… Africa Minigrids Project launched for Eswatini
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – From 83% to 100% electrification in 8 years or less.
This is the essence of Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulani Mabuza’s proclamation when he was launching the Africa Minigrids Project for Eswatini today at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). According to the funder’s website, The United Nations Development Programme will be implementing the E15.5 million project together with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The project is carried out with a wide array of minigrid stakeholders in the country including the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Eswatini Electricity Company, as well as the different communities where the projects will be carried out in the country.
According Government’s official social media channels, the project seeks to establish productive energy use initiatives within the Mvundla Minigrid project area, install a minigrid at Bulimeni community under Bulandzeni umphakatsi. It will also assist the Bulimeni community to set up productive energy use activities that will ensure that there is maximum utilisation of available electricity.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Mabuza said that the focus of the project is on establishing a springboard for renewable Minigrid development, building data and knowledge resources and ‘proof of concept’ business models that can inform planning, de-risking investments and encourage private sector participation.
He added that this aligned with the country’s target for renewable energy and the expectation that mini-grids and other off-grid solutions such as solar home systems will contribute to the goal to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
“The project also aligns with Government’s efforts of ensuring universal access to clean and affordable energy for all and will assist in enhancing access to electricity for all citizens including those living in rural areas,” said the Minister.
“The desired result of this is that the economic status of the communities will be greatly improved while also ensuring that the minigrids are self-sustaining. The success of these projects will assist the country to make a determination on the role that minigrids will play as Eswatini moves towards universal access to electricity by 2030,” added the minister.
According Government’s official social media channels, the Minister also appointed a Project Steering Committee that will provide overall guidance and direction to the project. The appointed committee members were Dorcas Dlamini (Chair), Rose Ssebatindira, Siboniso Tsela and Edgar Siza Dlamini.
Also speaking at the launch, UNDP Eswatini Deputy Resident Representative Jane O. Yeboah applauded the country’s developments in electrification and further encouraged more electrification of rural areas.
“Eswatini is doing well when it comes to energy access. The country’s current electrification is estimated at 83%, compared to 40% in Africa. However, only 69% of people in rural areas have access to electricity,” said Yeboah.
The launch of the Africa Minigrids Project for Eswatini was also attended by Eswatini Electricity Company Managing Director Ernest Mkhonta, Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati, Eswatini Environmental Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Officer Sikhumbuzo Tsabedze, Members of Parliament, and Senators among other stakeholders. The Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) is a country-led technical assistance program for minigrids, active in an initial 18 African countries which include Eswatini. AMP is expressly targeting early-stage minigrid markets, seeking to establish the enabling environment for subsequent private investment at scale.
