Electricity in Eswatini in 2022

In 2022, Eswatini's electricity consumption profile was dominated by net imports, which accounted for more than 60% of the total electricity supply. Among the domestic generation, low-carbon energy sources played a significant role, making up over a third of the electricity production. Within the low-carbon category, hydropower contributed just over 20% and biofuels accounted for a bit more than 16% of the electricity generation. The reliance on fossil fuels was minimal, with coal being the sole fossil source, constituting a small fraction, less than 3%, of the total electricity supply. This balance underlines the country’s ongoing efforts to maintain clean energy as a major component of its electricity mix.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Eswatini can draw lessons from countries that have successfully harnessed clean energy sources. One potential strategy is to focus on wind and solar energy, taking inspiration from countries like South Korea, Germany, and Portugal, which have significantly invested in wind power, with up to 31% of their electricity coming from this clean source. Solar energy also presents a promising avenue for Eswatini, with countries such as Australia and Chile showcasing successful integration of solar into their electricity grids, generating more than 19% and 21% of their electricity from solar sources respectively. Additionally, exploring nuclear power as a clean energy option could be highly beneficial, given how countries like France and Slovakia have significantly reduced their carbon footprint by generating a substantial portion, up to 67%, of their electricity through nuclear energy.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Eswatini has seen a mix of modest gains and occasional declines over the past two decades. In the early 2000s, biofuels experienced gradual increases, although the momentum was not sustained, with some years showing no change and even a slight dip in 2011. Hydropower, on the other hand, generally exhibited minor fluctuations over the years, with negligible changes for most years but a few instances of both small increases and decreases. Notably, in recent years from 2017 to 2018, there was a slight upward trend in hydropower generation. While these changes in low-carbon generation reflect a measure of progress, there is ample room for growth and innovation to further expand Eswatini's clean energy capacity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources