BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MANZINI– 100 Emaswati are expected to gain employment during the construction of the Lower Maguduza Hydropower Scheme, creating a major economic opportunity alongside the project’s plans to boost Eswatini’s domestic electricity generation.
The 13.5MW Lower Maguduza Hydropower Scheme is expected to become operational next year and will add approximately 64GWh of clean, renewable electricity to the national grid annually.
The project is expected to create employment during its construction phase, while also opening opportunities for local companies to participate in delivering the infrastructure.
More than 25% local company participation is expected in construction contracts, providing opportunities for businesses and service providers to contribute to the project and benefit from the economic activity generated around its development.
The employment and business opportunities form part of the wider benefits expected from the hydropower project, which is being developed to increase Eswatini’s locally generated electricity capacity.
Once operational, Lower Maguduza will operate as a mid-merit generation plant, meaning it will be able to supply electricity during both peak and non-peak demand periods. The plant’s expected annual contribution of approximately 64GWh of renewable electricity will strengthen the country’s use of domestic energy resources and complement its existing electricity generation portfolio.
The additional generation capacity is also expected to help reduce Eswatini’s dependence on imported electricity while contributing to a more reliable and resilient national power supply.
For local businesses, the project presents opportunities beyond the construction period, with service providers expected to benefit from activities associated with the development and operation of the facility. The project therefore brings together employment creation, local economic participation and renewable energy development.
Its construction is expected to provide 100 jobs, while the participation of local companies in construction contracts is expected to increase the involvement of Eswatini businesses in a major national infrastructure project.
The project is consequently positioned not only as an investment in hydropower infrastructure, but also as an opportunity to create jobs, support local businesses and strengthen Eswatini’s transition towards a more sustainable and secure electricity supply.
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(Courtesy Pic)
