Swaziland to gain a 100MW solar farm

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Swaziland in southern Africa is line for a 100MW solar farm, according to local media reports.

The ground-mount project will be developed by Services Global L Power Swaziland (SGL Power) – a new electricity generating company specialising in solar, coal and gas power.  

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The project is to be called ‘Amanda Leh Lezwe’ with a US$185 million projected cost.

Up to 300 hectares of land is being leased for the project from House of Assembly Speaker, Prince Guduza Dlamini‘s 700 hectare farm. The lease is for 25 years, and is estimated to cost SLZ1.8 million (US$182,000) a year to lease the farm (SLZ500 per hectare per month).

The project is near the city of Manzini, and is scheduled for completion in September 2014. Construction is to start immediately, with the first electricity generation expected within the first four months, and full production within eight months.

SGL power has applied for a generating licence from the Swaziland Energy Regulation Authority (SERA), also negotiations with the Swaziland Investment Authority (SIPA) are ongoing for the best energy tariff to be arranged.The 100MW farm will be connected to the existing Swaziland Electrical Company (SEC) grid, with a power purchase for 25 years. Members of the public can inspect the application for 30 days as part of the Energy Regulatory Act (2007).

SGL Power shareholder, Johan Koekemoer, told local news Africatime: “PV is a clean, sustainable, renewable energy, which reduces the adverse anthropogenic impacts of fossil fuel use.”

SGL Power is a joint venture of SGL Power Mauritius, which own 80%, Mafutha Unlimited Investment with 10% and Sarel Jacobus de la Rouviere and Johan Koekemoer owning 5% of the company each.

Solar irradiation levels are high in Swaziland but there are frequent power shortages and imported energy dependence. Most electricity in Swaziland is imported from utility Eskom, from neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa, causing high tariff rates.

Read Next

July 11, 2025
Sabanci Renewables, the North American subsidiary of Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holdings, is building a 156MWdc solar project in McLennan County, Texas.
July 11, 2025
Renewable electricity generation has grown more than twice as fast as total global electricity generation since 2012, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
July 11, 2025
Indian independent power producer (IPP) Juniper Green Energy has commissioned an additional 71MWp at Chapalgaon Solar Project in Solapur, Maharashtra.
July 11, 2025
The Asia Pacific (APAC) region has accounted for 69% of the 589GW solar PV inverters shipped in 2024, according to a report from analyst Wood Mackenzie.
Premium
July 11, 2025
Analysis: A presidential executive order issued on Monday tightening up project start rules is causing concern among developers.
Premium
July 11, 2025
According to the latest pricing data from the Silicon Industry Branch, released on 9 July, the transaction price range for n-type dense polysilicon has oscillated between RMB34,000-38,000/ton (US$4,741-5,299/ton).

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK