The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) has launched a new digital application portal aimed at simplifying and accelerating the deployment of rooftop solar power and embedded generation systems across Eswatini. The platform was officially unveiled during the Eswatini International Trade Fair.
The new online portal provides a centralised digital entry point for electricity producers, solar installers, utilities, and other stakeholders involved in renewable energy projects. It is designed to support individual solar installations and embedded generation projects of up to 2 megawatts (MW).
Previously, applicants seeking approval for solar installations had to deal with different administrative processes and regulatory channels. ESERA’s new digital platform brings several key functions together in one system. These include application processing, supply licensing, and registration of approved solar installers.
The initiative is expected to reduce paperwork, shorten processing times, and make regulatory requirements easier to understand. This could particularly benefit households, farmers, and commercial businesses that want to generate electricity for their own use through rooftop solar or other embedded generation systems.
ESERA Chief Executive Officer Skhumbuzo Tsabedze said the portal represents more than a move toward online services. According to ESERA, the platform is intended to support Eswatini’s wider energy transition by reducing regulatory barriers and encouraging more people and businesses to participate in renewable energy development.
The streamlined approval process could also support the country’s efforts to improve energy security and reduce dependence on external electricity supplies. By making it easier for consumers and businesses to develop their own generation capacity, Eswatini aims to strengthen energy self-reliance while expanding the use of clean energy.
The launch also reflects a broader trend across Africa, where energy regulators are increasingly adopting digital platforms to manage renewable energy projects. Countries such as South Africa and Namibia have introduced digital measures to simplify renewable energy approvals and regulatory processes.
Eswatini’s solar sector has been expanding, with operational solar capacity increasing and several larger projects under development or construction. The new portal is expected to complement this growth by making smaller-scale solar and embedded generation projects easier to implement.
Through the digital platform, ESERA aims to create a faster, more transparent, and accessible regulatory process, supporting wider rooftop solar adoption in both urban and rural communities while contributing to Eswatini’s transition toward a more sustainable and secure energy system.
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