• Eswatini launches 20 MW Tsamela solar project under its 75 MW program

• Plant will operate under a 25-year PPA with commissioning in 2027

• Project targets 47,788 MWh first-year output to cut electricity imports

Eswatini’s energy regulator ESERA on Monday launched the 20 MW Tsamela solar project, the first development under the country’s 75 MW solar power program.

The groundbreaking ceremony in Enduma was attended by members of the royal family, government officials, ESERA representatives, Standard Bank, developer Anthem and other stakeholders, the regulator said.

The project will operate under a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Eswatini Electricity Company. Construction is planned for January or February 2026, with commissioning expected in July or August 2027.

The investment totals more than 400 million emalangeni ($23.5 million). Standard Bank structured the debt financing. Thirty percent of the equity is earmarked for local investors, and 30 percent of the debt will be raised locally.

The plant is expected to generate 47,788 MWh in its first year, equivalent to offsetting 4.8 percent of Eswatini’s electricity imports. Four additional projects are planned under the program, including Innovent’s 10 MW project, Voltalia’s 15 MW project and two 15 MW projects developed by Sturdee Energy.

ESERA’s chief executive, Skhumbuzo Tsabedze, said the launch marked an important milestone for Eswatini. He said securing electricity supply requires long-term planning and that the project is the result of extensive technical work, regulatory processes and community engagement aimed at increasing local power generation.

According to the World Bank, 86.4 percent of Eswatini’s population had access to electricity in 2023, including 91 percent in urban areas and 84.9 percent in rural areas.

The International Energy Agency estimates that net imports accounted for 71.7 percent of final electricity consumption in 2023, or 1,043 GWh. Local generation reached 601 GWh, driven mainly by hydropower (54 percent) and bioenergy (32 percent). Solar contributed about 4 percent.

Abdoullah Diop