Eswatini is making bold strides toward energy self-reliance, reducing its dependence on imported electricity and investing in homegrown power solutions. For decades, the country has relied on South Africa’s Eskom for over 80% of its electricity needs. With Eskom grappling with supply challenges and a major power purchase agreement set to expire in 2025, the Eswatini government is intensifying efforts to secure a stable, sustainable, and locally controlled energy future.
Central to this strategy is utility-scale solar and biomass development, alongside limited coal-based generation. The Tsamela Solar Project, Eswatini’s first large solar power plant, is a flagship initiative. Developed by Enel Green Power, the 75 MW facility in the Shiselweni region is expected to meet roughly 10% of the country’s annual electricity demand. This represents a significant leap from the recently completed 10 MW solar plant in Lavumisa, signaling the country’s serious commitment to leveraging solar energy as a reliable and long-term solution.
In parallel, Eswatini is moving forward with biomass power projects, with bidding underway for 80 MW of capacity. These plants will harness locally available resources such as woodchips and sugarcane waste, producing continuous electricity—even when the sun isn’t shining. Biomass provides a steady, dispatchable power supply, while also creating opportunities for local farmers and agro-processing businesses, strengthening the link between energy and economic development.
The government is also planning the Lubhuku Power Station, a 300 MW coal-fired plant, aimed at stabilizing supply during the renewable transition and creating around 1,000 jobs. While coal offers short-term reliability, experts caution about long-term financial and environmental risks, especially as the global economy shifts away from fossil fuels. Carbon taxes and the potential for stranded assets remain key considerations for policymakers.
The drive toward renewable energy is central to Eswatini’s long-term vision. Solar and biomass projects promise cleaner air, lower costs, and reduced reliance on imported electricity. By tapping into abundant sunlight and agricultural waste, the country can shield itself from volatile global fuel prices while fostering local job creation. The combination of modern solar technology and the nation’s strong agricultural base positions Eswatini to achieve a more resilient, sustainable, and self-sufficient energy system in the years ahead.
With these initiatives, Eswatini is not only enhancing energy security but also demonstrating the transformative potential of renewables in Africa, showing that small countries can harness local resources to power growth, create jobs, and build a cleaner energy future.
