Recently, Eswatini officially launched the 20 MW Chamela Solar Power Plant, marking a historic breakthrough in the country’s efforts to enhance its self-generation capacity and strengthen national energy security. This project is the first to be implemented under the 75 MW solar procurement program initiated by the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA).
Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, notable as one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world.
Richard Gordon, a representative of the project developer Anthem, highlighted the value of cooperation, confirming that the Chamela project will prioritize local employment. It is expected to create approximately 150 jobs during the construction phase and 10 permanent positions during operation. The project has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Eswatini Electricity Company. Construction is scheduled to begin in late January or February 2026, with commercial operations set to commence in July or August 2027. The total investment exceeds 400 million Emalangeni, with debt financing led by Standard Bank. Of this, 30% of the equity is open to Eswatini investors, and 30% of the debt funding is sourced locally.
According to the Eswatini Electricity Company Integrated Report 2025, the plant is expected to generate 47,788 MWh of electricity in its first year of operation, offsetting approximately 4.8% of the country’s electricity imports. In his speech, the CEO of ESERA emphasized the significance of the project, noting that power procurement is an ongoing process. This launch reflects a rigorous procedure, multilateral consultations, community trust, and the nation’s determination to enhance its self-generation capacity.
