Swaziland
Swaziland imports 60% of the total national electricity demand. The major electricity source of Swaziland is hydropower. The bulk of the electricity imported comes from South Africa. Access to electricity in urban areas is 40 - 50% but in rural areas it is only 5%. Overall, some 27% of the population is connected to the national grid and thus almost 50% of the total energy demand is produced with biomass.
Coal resources and agro-industrial waste (bagasse) are planned to be exploited for energy production to reduce the dependence on the imported energy. Also the hydro power capacity is planned to be expanded considerably. Different renewable energy forms are actively promoted by the Renewable Energy Unit in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, especially in rural areas. Some piloting with biofuels in transportation sector has also been carried out. However, the limited know-how and financing capacity in the country have impeded full exploitation of the renewable energy potential. Furthermore, the national institutional and legal frameworks do not provide sufficient support for renewable energy development and use.
Contacts of the National Coordinator
Mr. Bongani M Thusi
Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy
P O Box 57
Mbabane H100, Swaziland
Tel Office: +268 4046244
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.gov.sz