Types of Licenses

The Electricity Act of 2007 specifies that persons generating, transmitting, distributing or supplying electricity, or importing electricity into or exporting electricity from Eswatini, are obliged to hold licences issued by the Authority and shall be subject to the provisions of their licence, the by-laws and procedures of the Authority, and the requirements of any energy sector laws. It further clarifies that the power system activities for which a licence is required are:

1. generation of electricity;
2. transmission of electricity;
3. performing the function of integrated power system operator;
4. distribution of electricity;
5. supplying of electricity;
6. off-grid and mini-grid supplies of electricity; and
7. importing electricity into or exporting electricity from Eswatini

The Authority therefore offers the following licences;

• Export Licence
• Import Licence
• Supply Licence
• Distribution Licence
• Transmission Licence
• Generation Licence

Duration of Licences

The Electricity Act,2007 states that a

• Generation licences may not be issued by the Authority for a period exceeding 40 years;
• Transmission and system operator licences may not be issued by the Authority for a period exceeding 30 years;
• and distribution and supply licences may not be issued by the Authority for a period exceeding 25 years.

Offence for operating without a licence.

The Electricity Act, 2007 specifies that A person who -

• generates, transmits, acts as system operator, or distributes electricity for the purpose of giving a supply to any premises or enabling a supply to be so given;
• sells electricity to any premises; or
• exports or imports electricity,

except under the authority of or under an exemption given under this Act, commits an offence. The offender is liable on conviction to a fine payable to the Authority of not less than 50,000 Emalangeni, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty-four months or both.

Exemption from obligation to apply for and hold licence.

The Electricity Act of 2007 also highlights a group of industry player who may be exempted from holding a licence, as follows:

• Any person who generates, transmits or distributes electricity for own use approved and authorised by the Authority is exempted from the obligation to apply for and hold a licence under the Electricity Act,2007.
• Any person who sells less than 1 GWh of electricity per annum to customers where the conditions relating to the supply of electricity thus sold and the tariffs charged are not less favourable than the conditions of supply and tariffs that would have been applicable if those customers were directly supplied with electricity by the licensee who sells electricity to the person supplying the customers with electricity under this exemption is exempt from applying for and holding a licence under the Electricity Act, 2007.
• Off-grid and mini-grid supply schemes may be specifically exempted by the Minister in terms of section 67(1)(j), from applying for and holding a licence under the Electricity Act, 2007.

Below are the licenses you can apply for:

License Name	File Size	Download Form
Export Licence	0.1 MB	Click Here To Download Form
Import Licence	0.1 MB	Click Here To Download Form
Supply Licence	0.349 MB	Click Here To Download Form
Distribution Licence	0.241 MB	Click Here To Download Form
Transmission Licence	0.095 MB	Click Here To Download Form
Generation Licence	0.235 MB	Click Here To Download Form