THE Industrial Development Company of Eswatini (IDCE) has held conversations that shape the country’s energy future.
This was during a Solar Indaba held at Happy Valley on Tuesday, in a dialogue about connection, collaboration and building a solar-powered Eswatini.
Key participants included the country’s energy regulator Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA), Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), as well as agribusinesses such as Tambankulu Estates and Dalcrue Agricultural Holdings.
Stakeholders in the energy sector tackled the rising solar project failures and how to improve the viability of solar energy investments in the country.
Discussions focused on critical aspects of solar project development, including financing, compliance, licensing, technical standards and the Embedded Generation By-Laws under the Electricity Act of 2007.
The sessions aimed to close persistent information gaps and support more informed investment decisions.
IDCE Chief Executive (CE) Fairlie Mabuza said too many solar projects fail because of information gaps.
He said the day was about closing those gaps, breaking down walls between customers and regulators, and ensuring that projects are viable and bankable.
Mabuza emphasised that the Indaba was designed to bridge this gap by creating a platform for direct engagement between project owners, regulators and technical experts, particularly on compliance, licensing, and system design.
He also said the initiative was prompted by growing concern over the number of solar projects failing to meet projected returns.
“We have identified a clear information asymmetry where contractors possess the technical data that project owners often lack. This gap allows for over-specification of unnecessarily expensive projects that ultimately fail to deliver value.
‘‘Today, we want to change that. We are deliberately breaking down the walls between you our customers and the regulators. ESERA and EEC are not here as hurdles, but they are here as experts to help you navigate compliance, licensing and technical standards,” Mabuza said.
He also emphasised that solar energy was a powerful tool, but was not a universal solution for every business model, hence the need for discussions to gain the knowledge to properly assess whether solar is the right fit for specific needs or whether other energy solutions might serve better.
Mabuza cautioned that while solar energy presented significant potential, it was not universally applicable to all business models.
He urged investors to assess project fundamentals, including financial viability before committing resources.
The Indaba forms part of IDCE’s broader efforts to support sustainable industrial growth by promoting informed investment decisions and reducing risks associated with renewable energy projects.
“If a project shows signs of negative returns, that should not be ignored but rather used as a basis to refine and improve the project.
This Indaba is meant to be an open, honest, and constructive dialogue. We encourage you to engage with the intention to learn; ask the tough questions and share your experiences.
Our intention is simple, to empower you with knowledge so that you can successfully implement your projects and achieve the returns you anticipate,’’ added Mabuza.
The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority said the engagement comes at a time when rising electricity tariffs are driving increased interest in alternative energy sources, especially among farmers.
ESERA Electricity Regulation Engineer Ncamiso Nkambule said the authority was focused on equipping potential investors with knowledge of regulatory requirements.
“We are seeing more farmers turning to solar to reduce electricity costs. Our role is to ensure they understand the legal and regulatory processes, including licensing, so they can make informed decisions,” Nkambule said.
EEC provided technical guidance on embedded generation, outlining procedures for integrating solar systems into existing operations.
EEC Research and Renewables Engineer Nosipho Simelane said understanding these processes is critical to ensuring compliance and system efficiency.
Industry players also shared practical experiences in adopting solar energy, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges associated with implementation.
