BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MBABANE – The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) has announced the national rollout of its Embedded Generation Framework, assuring customers that the initiative does not mean households or businesses will now be charged simply for owning or using solar power systems.
Instead, the utility says the framework is designed to ensure that all electricity generation systems connected to the national grid are properly registered, monitored and operated safely. The rollout forms part of EEC’s Phehla Sikwati initiative, which translates to “know your plant”.
Through the initiative, EEC is encouraging customers who have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems or any other form of electricity generation equipment to register their installations with the company. The registration process will enable EEC to know where these systems are located, how they are connected to the electricity network and whether they meet the required technical and safety standards.
This framework is primarily aimed at protecting both customers and utility workers. The company explained that when technicians carry out maintenance or repairs on electricity lines, they must know whether there are privately owned generation systems capable of feeding electricity back into the grid. If an unregistered system continues supplying electricity to a line that workers believe has been isolated, it could create a serious safety hazard and place lives at risk.
Under the new framework, approved customers who generate their own electricity and export surplus power to the EEC grid will, from August 1, 2026, be eligible to receive credits for the electricity they supply. This means households and businesses with authorised systems will be able to offset part of their electricity costs by feeding excess energy back into the national network.
EEC has warned that customers who connect unauthorised generation systems, modify approved installations without informing the company or feed electricity into the grid without prior approval could face penalties of approximately E15 500. The utility further announced that the new tariffs, connection charges and penalties associated with the Embedded Generation Framework will come into effect on August 1, 2026, and will remain applicable until March 31, 2027.
EEC has emphasised that the introduction of the framework should not be interpreted as a tax or levy on solar power. Instead, it is intended to support the safe integration of renewable energy into Eswatini’s electricity network while ensuring the reliability of the grid and protecting those who work on it. The company has therefore urged all customers with grid-connected solar installations to register their systems under the Phehla Sikwati initiative, saying the message is simple: “We need to know your plant.”
