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TALKING POINTS FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY RESEARCH AND HAND OVER OF SOLAR PV SYSTEM

 

17TH OCTOBER 2019

LIGCABHO LEMASWATI SPORTS EMPORIUM – UNESWA KWALUSENI CAMPUS

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PROTOCOL

  • PROGRAMME DIRECTOR,
  • HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT,
  • HIS EXCELLENCY, THE AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN),
  • THE UNESWA VICE CHANCELLOR.
  • REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR,
  • PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES,
  • CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR,
  • UNESWA LECTURERS AND STAFF,
  • GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS,
  • DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,
  • LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

 

  • It is my honour to be invited to be part of this very important occasion to officially launch the Centre for Sustainable Energy Research and also to witness the handover of the solar PV system that was donated by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the University of Eswatini.
  • Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy partnered with the University of Eswatini in the establishment of the Research Centre.
  • This is in response to the recognition of the National Development Strategy - Vision 2022 that energy is absolutely necessary to achieve the socio-economic development, and identifies energy research as one of its strategic objectives.
  • The implementation strategy of the updated National Energy Policy of 2018 recognises the pivotal role of research and development in advancing a sustainable energy industry in Eswatini. It further outlines research strategies which should be taken and led by UNESWA.
  • The Centre is therefore well placed to run with this research & development initiative. It is therefore encouraging to learn that the Centre will, amongst other objectives:-
  • Assist to increase the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures in the country,
  • Help address the slow adoption of renewable energy technologies such as solar PV, biogas, wind power and other bio-energy resources,
  • Prepare the country for future energy systems such as fuel cells,
  • Address issues of sustainable energy access for all.
  • The establishment of the Centre is therefore a game changer on energy matters in the country.
  • Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to hereby take this opportunity to appeal for the support of this Centre through engagement or hiring of its expertise in energy related matters as well as through providing financial support where required in order to enable the Centre to grow in leaps and bounds.
  • The establishment of the Centre would not have come at a better time especially now with the advent of climate change, energy insecurity, rising energy costs coupled with increased interest and opportunities of tapping into the sustainable energy sector.
  • I urge the Centre to develop formal links with local, regional and international institutions of similar interests for benchmarking and experience sharing and also to provide a forum for discussion of energy, climate change and sustainable development issues which affect the country.
  • I am happy to report that in a bid to strengthen capacity of the Centre, the Ministry has considered linking it with the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) on matters of developing the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors in the country.
  • Further, the Ministry has solicited assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency which has agreed to assist the Centre on matters of developing a curriculum which will be used by the Centre in developing skills on matters of energy research and planning. I am reliably told that before the end of this month experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency will be visiting the Centre for initial discussions on the curriculum development.
  • The Ministry’s aspirations is for the Centre to provide support services to the energy industry, including premium testing facilities for energy technologies, energy resources data consolidation and analysis in order to assist government to adequately plan for the energy sector.
  • Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I also wish to take this opportunity to appreciate the continued support and cooperation that is consistently provided by the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
  • To this end today, we have witnessed the Republic of China (Taiwan) officially handing over an 82.56 KW solar PV system that it donated to UNESWA.
  • Apart from assisting the University to reduce its electricity expenditure and also have some backup power during electricity outages, the system will further assist UNESWA and the Centre to carryout research on solar PV system technologies as well as provide the opportunity for students to benefit from practical hands on training on solar PV technologies through the use of the system.
  • Your Excellency, on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, I hereby thank the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for making this possible.
  • We are forever grateful for your government’s continued support and assistance as Eswatini moves towards attaining a first world status by 2022.
  • Ladies and Gentlemen, with those brief remarks, it is my singular honour to declare the Centre for Sustainable Energy Research officially launched.

I thank you.                                                              

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