Kingdom of Eswatini Energy Masterplan 2034.

The Kingdom of Eswatini Energy Masterplan 2034 (The Masterplan) aims to achieve a balance between affordability of energy in the competitive market and a move towards a sustainable energy supply. The objectives of this Energy Masterplan are to: 1) review the current national energy policy setting and energy balance; 2) assess future national energy demand up to 2034; 3) identify all of the energy sources needed to meet this demand, including untapped potential for domestic energy supply from renewable sources; 4) provide quantitative paths for future energy sector development to 2034; and 5) assess energy supply options in terms of their implications for financial requirements, energy security, energy access goals, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and other related policy goals. The national energy planning in this document covers the use and supply of both electricity and primary fuels, which include biofuels, petroleum, biomass and fuelwood. The scenario modelling is based on a 20-year planning horizon (2014 to 2034) that is consistent with the national development targets.
In the Masterplan 10 scenarios were developed, these include: two Forced Coal scenarios, which aim to provide insights into the impact of coal capacity in providing baseload powering; three Domestic Resources scenarios assess the implications of becoming less import-dependent and maximising the use of domestically endowed energy resources; Natural Gas scenario, etc. All scenarios have been assessed against key long-term goals, namely: 1) the provision of sufficient energy supply; 2) the provision of access to clean energy technologies; 3) fostering industrialisation and 4) ensuring security of energy supply.
The key recommendations of this Masterplan are the increased development of renewable energy options involving the private sector; the creation of a comprehensive distributed power generation plan; and the need to develop policies and regulations to facilitate private sector engagement in rural electrification. These recommendations need to be complemented by strengthening renewable energy targets, examining the constraints of existing grid infrastructure and exploring the best mechanisms to reduce costs and ease technical challenges.