-
Globeleq and Sturdee Energy have been selected by Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (Esera) to develop two solar power plants.
- The power plants will have a cumulative capacity of 30 MWp.
- The project developer will also construct transmission infrastructure that connects the plants to the grid.
A consortium made up of Globeleq, and Sturdee Energy has been selected by Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (Esera) to develop two solar power plants. The facilities will each have a capacity of 15 MWp. One of the power plants will be constructed in the town of Balekane, in the Hhohho region. The second plant, which will be similar to the first, will be constructed in Ngwenya, a town near South Africa.
Read also: Eswatini to Construct 850kW Solar Plant
British company Globeleq and Sturdee Energy will receive plots of land for the development of the project. Jonathan Hoffman, Globeleq’s Development Director, noted that the company is delighted to support Esera’s strategy to increase domestic power generation and reduce dependence on imported electricity. “As the first utility-scale renewable IPPs in Eswatini, these projects will help stabilise the cost of electricity supply and increase the country’s energy resilience.” He added.
The consortium will also construct transmission infrastructure to connect the power plants to the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) grid. The developer will transfer the transmission lines and substation equipment to EEC for operation and maintenance.
Eswatini only has an installed capacity of 64 MWp and is heavily dependent on imported energy from its southern African neighbour South Africa and believes that the incorporation of clean energy is key to reducing energy costs and diversifying its energy mix,
Through the tender launched last year, Esera planned to acquire 40MWp of installed solar capacity and biomass plants with a total capacity of 40 MW.