Network Reinforcement and Access Project

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The objective of Network Reinforcement and Access Project for Eswatini is to improve the reliability of electricity supply and increase access to electricity services in targeted areas of the borrower. The project has four components. (1) Reinforcement of the transmission and distribution grid component will finance the construction of 87 km of 132 kV transmission line from Nhlangano II to Lavumisa with two new 20 MVA 132/11 kV substations at Matsanjeni and Lavumisa, and expansion works at the existing 132/66/11k V Nhlangano II substation, and the 11k V Hluthi switching station that will be converted into a 20 MVA 132/11 kV substation. It also will improve reliability of the distribution network in the Shiselweni region and align the distribution network with present and projected electricity demand. (2) Electricity access expansion component will support GoKE’s program for rural electrification by financing an estimated 8,000 household connections through the REP. The component will be implemented by EEC’s REU and shall target the Shiselweni region and will fund all costs up to the customer interface unit including the necessary MV and low voltage (11 kV and 0.4 kV) network, service drops, meters and circuit breakers for group schemes approved by MNRE. The REP supports group scheme applications and available funding has been insufficient to keep pace with the number of applications for support being received. (3) Analytical support and capacity building component will finance technical assistance to: (a) enhance electrification planning, implementation, monitoring, and verification capacity at the MNRE, considering the GoKE’s stated goal of reaching universal access in the short term; and (b) support the implementation of the GoKE’s policy positions as stated in NEP (2018) in general and specifically maximizing financing for development by enabling greater private sector participation in renewable energy generation and off-grid electrification. This component will also finance technical assistance to enhance the security of supply and support MNRE’s capacity-building needs. (4) Contingent emergency response component support GoKE’s response in the event of an eligible emergency. This responds to a request by GoKE that the World Bank’s portfolio enhances Eswatini’s capability to respond to emergencies with major adverse economic and/or social impact.