Electricity in Eswatini in 2022

In 2022, Eswatini's electricity consumption was notably dependent on external sources and low-carbon energy options, with more than half of its electricity coming from net imports at 61%, leaving the country somewhat vulnerable to external factors affecting its energy security. On the home front, low-carbon energy sources accounted for approximately a third of the country's electricity. This includes over 20% from hydropower and around 16% from biofuels. Fossil fuels, particularly coal, played a minimal role in Eswatini's electricity generation with less than 3% of the electricity share, showcasing the country's potential to further increase its low-carbon footprint and reduce the carbon emissions associated with coal.

Suggestions

To improve its low-carbon electricity generation, Eswatini can explore lessons from countries that have been successfully harnessing nuclear and wind energy. Examining nuclear energy, places like Slovakia and Ukraine have achieved significant shares of electricity from nuclear sources, both exceeding 55%. Though nuclear may require substantial investment, it offers a stable and significant long-term clean energy supply. Meanwhile, countries such as Denmark and Uruguay have achieved high percentages of wind energy integration, amounting to around 59% and 33%, respectively. For Eswatini, partnerships or shared initiatives in wind energy with countries like Cape Verde, which shares similar geographic characteristics and has successfully integrated wind energy, could be enlightening, aiding energy diversification and capacity building in sustainable practices.

History

Looking into the history of low-carbon electricity in Eswatini, there were various modest but consistent changes over the years. In the early 2000s, there was a marked contribution from biofuels, peaking with an increase of 0.5 TWh in 2000. Over the next decade, hydropower showed more frequent fluctuations, with small annual gains and declines, notably in 2003, 2005, and 2014 where hydropower faced reductions and gains. Biofuels saw more significant declines in 2009 and 2011, with reductions of 0.1 TWh and 0.2 TWh respectively, impacting their contribution to sustainable energy. Despite these smaller-scale changes, Eswatini has laid a foundation in these sectors which it could build upon, particularly by adopting additional low-carbon technologies such as nuclear, wind, and solar power to enhance its clean energy strategy.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources