Electricity in Eswatini in 2021

Currently, Eswatini's electricity consumption is considerably below the global average of 410 watts per person. With its electricity production heavily reliant on fossil fuels, the need for a shift towards more substainable energy sources is paramount. The country's consumption of clean, low-carbon energy sources is currently close to none. The effect of this low level of electricity generation and consumption is a constrained industrial growth and development, jeopardising Eswatini’s economic prospects. The low consumption also implies a lack of access to electricity for a significant portion of the population, which hampers their quality of life and socio-economic development.

Suggestions

An examination of other countries brewing success in low-carbon energy can provide valuable direction for Eswatini's energy reforms. Closest to home, South Africa has successfully implemented solar and wind power systems, yielding an impressive 16 TWh of power. Spain, another country with similar geographic conditions as Eswatini, has also efficiently harnessed wind and solar energy, generating up to 61 TWh and 40 TWh respectively. These countries illustrate the significant potential for Eswatini to tap into wind and solar power resources as viable and safe alternatives to fossil fuels. Additionally, the success of nuclear energy globally should not be overlooked. Countries such as the United States and France have harnessed the power of nuclear energy, generating whopping figures of 775 TWh and 319 TWh respectively. Albeit a long-term solution, the introduction and expansion of nuclear power can play a significant role in achieving Eswatini's green energy goals.

History

Historically, Eswatini's attempts at generating low-carbon electricity have been rather meek, primarily focusing on biofuels and hydro energy. The start of the 21st century saw a minuscule increase in biofuel production, with a rise of 0.4 TWh in the year 2000. However, subsequent years witnessed little to no change in biofuel production. Meanwhile, despite witnessing some fluctuation, notably during the years 2003, 2005, and 2013, substantial growth was absent in the country's hydropower generation. It is critical to highlight that these efforts towards green energy generation were inadequate and lacking in scale. The coming years need to see a transformational change in Eswatini's energy landscape that includes not just an escalation in biofuel and hydropower generation but also the inclusion and expansion of other reliable and clean sources such as wind, solar and nuclear energy.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources