The Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP)Contents | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 3.1 The Economy | 3.2 People | 3.3 Land | 3.4 Water Sector | 3.5 Biodiversity | 3.6 Agriculture | 3.7 Forestry | 3.8 Manufacturing | 3.9 Tourism | 3.10 Mining | 3.11 Fuel and Energy 3.0 SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT3.11 Fuel and EnergyThe principal objective of the fuel and energy sector is to ensure an adequate and constant supply of fuel and energy as well as their efficient use, which will promote optimum economic, environmental and social development and stability within the kingdom. Reliable energy supply to all consumer groups, in particular to the productive sectors, is a key infrastructure pre-requisite to ensure economic and social development. Government performs its responsibilities in this area through the Energy Section of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE). Swaziland's fuel and energy requirements are met from the following main sources: (1994 Energy Balance of Swaziland)
The types of energy used reflect the socio-economic conditions and rural-urban dichotomy of Swaziland. For instance, most of the coal and electricity are used by industrial consumers, companies, town and urban dwellers, whereas most rural households satisfy their basic energy requirements from fuel wood which is collected from within the area surrounding the homestead. The major consumer groups of fuel energy in order of consumption are:
Electricity: Provision of electrical energy in Swaziland is the responsibility of the Swaziland Electricity Board (SEB), established by the Electricity Act No. 10/1963. The SEB has a length of 4,000km of distribution lines (1996) and maintains four power stations, serving 26,000 customers nationwide (Table on SEB System Operational Statistics) Additional electric power requirements are provided through imports from the Republic of South Africa (ESKOM). Arrangements are far advanced for SEB to buy power from Mozambique, where hydro-electric power prices are lower than power from ESKOM. At present, more than 90% of the residential electricity is consumed by urban households. Although many rural households and establishments would like to have electricity, only few are connected to the national grid. In order to rectify this unsatisfactory situation, a Select Committee on Rural Electrification (SCORE) was established in April 1993 to define policy on rural electrification. Coal: Swaziland meets local demand through imports from the Republic of South Africa since local production of coal is exclusively for export. Coal imports (total 242,000 tons in 1994) are used by local industries and coal consumption by households is very minimal. Petroleum Products: Swaziland satisfies its petroleum products demand through 100% imports from the RSA. The MNRE plays a regulatory role in the pricing of gasoline, diesel and kerosene. There are five private companies which supply the country with petroleum products (Shell Oil, BP, Engen Caltex Oil and Total.) These companies hold stocks of less than eight days. This situation is critical to the economy should there be a disruption in supply. Government has therefore adopted a pre-feasibility study (1992) to undertake the establishment of a 60 days storage depot for petrol and diesel. Fuelwood, Biomass Waste and Other Renewable Sources of Energy: Woodfuel constitutes the most important domestic fuel source for the majority of Swazis, 77% of who live in rural homesteads. Even in urban households, wood is the most important fuel on a gross energy basis. Wood is therefore becoming increasingly scarce and deforestation and land degradation are ominously visible across Swaziland. Nationwide, it is estimated that the total annual wood consumption exceeds the total sustainable wood supply by about 30%. Projections suggest that rural household energy consumption will rise at a greater rate than in urban areas. Woodfuel use is expected to increase by 50% by the year 2010. Effects on Women: The declining woodfuel stock has a significant negative effect on the lives of most Swazi women and their children as they are required to spend more and more time and/or money securing fuel supply for the homestead. Poverty is likely to prevent a major fuel switch (to LPG, electricity or paraffin) taking place so the pressure on woodfuel reserves is unlikely to lessen and women and children will continue to bear the burden. The responsibility of women to provide domestic energy needs is not only physically demanding but it also requires a considerable amount of their time and prevents them from pursuing other, more beneficial activities. It is imperative that the involvement of women in energy provision and use is recognized and the issue of energy and the environment be tackled effectively. 3.11.1 Environmental Issues Related to the Energy Sector
3.11.2 PolicyThe framework for a National Energy Policy is currently being developed which will be used by a task force to produce the final policy. The overall objective of a National Energy Policy is to ensure the provision of affordable and efficient sources of energy, both indigenous and imported, to improve living conditions and in particular welfare of women and children. Policy Elements
3.11.3 Priority Actions
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