The Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP)

RECOMMENDED POLICY AND STRATEGY FRAMEWORK

CONTENTS | INTRODUCTION | NATIONAL LAND AND ENVIRONMENT | RURAL LAND AND ENVIRONMENT | SOIL CONSERVATION | AGRICULTURAL LAND USE | LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION | CROP PRODUCTION | FORESTRY | MINING | BIODIVERSITY | RURAL WATER | RURAL SETTLEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE | TOURISM | RURAL ENERGY | PERI-URBAN LAND AND ENVIRONMENT | URBAN LAND AND ENVIRONMENT | RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL, RETAIL & INDUSTRIAL | GREEN BELT, AGRICULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL |

1.12 RURAL ENERGY

This policy is to provide practical directions towards implementation of the policies of levels one and two above in energy development. The rural energy action plan has strong links with other action plans, particularly with forestry, settlements and infrastructure.

ISSUES SUMMARY

  • Inadequate or unaffordable supply of energy; non-availability largely related to poverty.
  • Dispersed nature of homesteads makes provision of energy services, in particular electricity, difficult and expensive.
  • Wood reserves under pressure; the total annual wood consumption is estimated to exceed the total sustainable wood supply by 30 percent; role of indigenous woodlands not adequately addressed.
  • Community woodlot projects only partially successful.
  • Use of paraffin in households a source of health hazard, as is the long term exposure to wood and coal smoke.
  • Lack of promotion of fuel-efficient stoves and/or fuel switching.

SUMMARY POLICY PROPOSALS

Status of Policy

The framework for an overall National Energy Policy is currently being formulated. A task force will be charged with producing the final policy.

Broad overall objective

  • To secure a sufficient and reliable supply of energy in the short, medium and long term which is economically viable, environmentally benign, and socially acceptable.

Policy principle

  • A balanced variety of energy resources and technologies be promoted, including an energy market that encourages sustainability of the rural community environment.

Policy Practical Elements

  • Priority be given to the development of local energy sources, especially in the short to medium term planning.
  • Electrification of rural areas be pursued, ensuring that connection costs and tariff structure make electricity accessible to large number of homesteads.
  • Priority given to improve energy services to rural areas with settlement concentration and economic activity initiatives.
  • Appropriate infrastructure be developed to ensure sustainable energy delivery.
  • Local entrepreneurs be supported to be key players in the energy supply chain.

Policy Supportive Elements

  • Energy awareness be featured as a key element in environmental education of communities.
  • Information on energy options be promoted through the media, particularly radio.

SUMMARY STRATEGY PROPOSALS

  • The National Energy Management Committee to address the relationship between energy and the environment.
  • To appraise and reactivate the Community Woodlot project in collaboration with the Forestry Section of MOAC; emphasis to be given to indigenous species, but not excluding exotics, especially wattle.
  • To encourage the use of fuel-efficient stoves and to promote local production; to appraise the use of various sources of energy such as coal, wood, butane, paraffin, etc. with respect to cost, efficiency, pollution, health and safety.
  • To overcome the barrier of initial capital cost of connection for a supply of electricity through the Rural Electrification Study.
  • To pursue the development of alternative sources of energy such as solar, micro-hydro and biogas.
  • To promote integrated and balanced energy systems (solar for lighting and entertainment, gas for cooking, coal for heating, etc.) and to develop the infrastructure to support them.
  • To develop the recycling of wood waste from the plantation forestry as a cheap source of energy for communities.
  • To introduce incentives for conservation and efficient distribution of energy.
  • To involve and support the communities, especially women, in energy planning and decision making processes; to encourage local business people to become involved in the supply chain.

KEY REFERENCE MATERIAL

  • Lasschuit, P.E. 1994. Rural Household Energy Strategies in Swaziland.
  • Capricon 1996. Rural Electrification in Swaziland.
  • UNDP/World Bank 1987. Swaziland: Issues and Options in the Energy Sector.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat 1997. Utilisation of Renewable Energy in Swaziland.
  • Davis, M. et al. 1997. Rural Electrification in Swaziland - Phase III policy formulation.

MINISTERIAL INVOLVEMENT

Primarily MNRE, but with involvement of many other ministries such as MOAC, MHUD, MEPD, MEE, MPWT, MTEC.