Load-shedding starts, is Lubhuku the solution?
MBABANE – Is Lubhuku the country’s solution to energy poverty? About 80 per cent of the country’s electricity is imported from South Africa and Mozambique. As the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy feels the revised report on a feasibility study for the coal-fired plant at Lubhuku in Mpaka is in the meantime confidential, the old one showed prospects of extracting 186 million tonnes from three major coal seams.
A company from Japan conducted the old study. It is not clear if the three major coal seams still harbour the 186 million tonnes of coal which can be used to generate electricity for the country.
Energy experts say 300 billion tonnes of recoverable coal is enough to last more than 250 years. Undated reports indicated that the Lubhuku coal was enough to last more than 30 years. The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) has begun a load-shedding programme for the month of July 2022.
His Majesty King Mswati III, in his Speech from the Throne, raised concern over energy insufficiency. He was concerned that the Eswatini contract with Eskom was coming closer to an end. By the time the contract elapsed, the King said it was important that the country would have become energy independent. “This is why we need to urgently step up our plans to integrate alternative sources of energy supply to the local grid,” His Majesty said.
He also implored government to maximise on solar energy as well as wind turbines and explore natural gas options. He ordered government to consider the hydro power generation as it could also be efficient because of the abundant rains.
The King made it clear: “Put together, these projects ought to play a critical role in the resuscitation of our economy. It is important that this is done before the Eskom contract expires.”
His Majesty the King had stated in 2021 that key government projects included the development of the 300mw coal fired thermal power plant at Lubhuku.
He said the nation would be pleased to hear that it was technically and economically viable. His Majesty then mentioned that government shall ensure the completion of the feasibility study and that funds were secured for the development of the facility in that financial year.
In this year’s Speech from the Throne, the King said the country looked to the thermal power project to generate electricity locally. He said government was aware that the global community considered phasing out coal generated power. However, he assured the global community and the nation that the country would rely on experts to help put in place the available technology that was able to minimise the impact of emissions to the environment.
The Head of State pointed out that energy independence was vital for growth in the kingdom’s quest to become a developed nation, our investment targets need to aim higher.
For enterprises to generate a turnover running in the billions of Emalangeni, His Majesty the King said such projects would be guided by the availability of good electricity supply.
Archeologists say coal is the most plentiful fuel in the fossil family and it has the longest and, perhaps, the most varied history. Coal has been used for heating since the caveman era. The archeologists have also found evidence that the
Romans in England used it in the second and third centuries (100- 200 AD). In the 1700s, the English found that coal could produce a fuel that burned cleaner and hotter than wood charcoal.
In the previous financial years, government had intended to spend E18 million on the feasibility study for the coal-fired power plant at Lubhuku. However, the government had estimated that E20 million would be needed to complete the study. To set up the power plant, projections had indicated that Eswatini needed about E12 billion.
According to the scope of the feasibility study, the E18 million budget was to incorporate the components of institutional strengthening and data management.
PASSES FEASIBILITY STUDY
Last year, Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini said the coal thermal power project passed the feasibility study stage. He said it was at the design phase. The current budget estimates do not indicate that the coal-powered plant project shall be undertaken in this financial year.
Sikelela Khoza, the Communications Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, said they would report on the current status of the project in due course, after having made consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Dorcas Dlamini and Director of Energy Thabile Nkosi were called late on Friday. They were also of the same opinion that they could respond through a questionnaire.
Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg said the feasibility study was done last year through assistance from Taiwan. The Finance minister had also mentioned its importance and urgency in his budget speeches.
It must be said that Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy was dealt a severe blow when the substantive minister, Peter Ndumiso Bhembe passed away in February 2022.
‘‘ To set up the power plant, projections had indicated that Eswatini needed about E12 billion. Current budget estimates do not indicate that the project shall be undertaken in this financial year.”
Since February 2022, the ministry does not have a substantive minister.
Meanwhile, the report by the Japanese considered the northern part of Lubhuku as very promising for development of a coal mine because of the following –
The coal seams stably occur, judging from the sedimentary environment;
About 70 per cent of the reserves are found in the northern part;
Only small amounts of dolerite intrusions affected on the coal seams are found in the northern part;
The experts recommended for further drilling investigation to be performed, of total length of about 7 400 metres in 20 boreholes at one kilometre intervals in the northern part of the area and its northern adjacent part.
In relation to energy self sufficiency, the ministry launched the Eswatini Energy Masterplan for 2020-2035, which provided a road map for the development of an energy mix that would allow the country to be self-dependant.
Subsequent to the launch of the Masterplan, the ministry also unveiled what is to be known as the Short-term Generational Expansion Plan (SGEP), which seeks to develop 40 megawatts solar PV and 40 megawatts biomass.
According to the SGEP for Eswatini launched on March 26, 2018, coal reserves are known to exist in Eswatini.
Recent coal exploration work carried out suggests that there are significant bituminous coal resources in the Lubhuku area which would be suitable for the coal power plant using standard pulverised coal fired boilers.
The report seen by this newspaper indicates that there is a great potential for new developments in coal mining.
It is stated that the development of the coal fired thermal power station would result in the establishment of the new mine to provide feedstock to the power station.