BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – The Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (RFM) Solar System has been named Best Energy Efficiency Initiative at the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Sustainable Energy Week Awards of Excellence, held on 25 February 2026 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
The award was received by His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokhela, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, on behalf of the Government of Eswatini. It recognises the hospital’s significant progress in reducing energy consumption and operational costs while strengthening its capacity to deliver quality healthcare services.
RFM Hospital, one of the country’s largest referral facilities and among its most energy-intensive public institutions, operates 24 hours a day. Rising electricity tariffs, inefficient lighting, ageing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and mounting pressure on the national grid had posed serious operational challenges.
To address these issues, the Government of Eswatini, through the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, partnered with Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security under the Greening the RFM Hospital Demonstration Project.
Funded by the Government of Italy at a cost of €2.2 million (over E44 million), the project delivered a comprehensive renewable energy and energy efficiency solution. A one-megawatt solar photovoltaic system with battery storage was installed, energy-efficient appliances were introduced, and a coal-fired boiler that had supplied the hospital’s laundry, kitchen and other facilities was decommissioned.
Implementation was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy and the Ministry of Health, with technical and oversight support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Since the project’s completion, the hospital’s monthly electricity bill has been reduced by approximately half, dropping from about E400 000 to below E200 000. This translates to savings of around E200 000 per month. Additional annual savings of about E300 000 have been realised following the elimination of coal use.
Beyond financial benefits, improved energy reliability has reduced service disruptions, strengthened operational efficiency and enhanced patient care.
Officials say the award underscores Eswatini’s commitment to integrating sustainable energy solutions into public institutions. The RFM project is now being regarded as a regional model, demonstrating how investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency can simultaneously reduce costs, cut emissions and improve essential public services.
Courtesy pic
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