Biomass energy generation reduces Eswatini's dependency on energy imports and contributes to the overall reduction of Eswatini's GHG emissions (9).

Biomass energy generation leads to increased access to clean energy sources, which reduces reliance on wood fuel and charcoal for cooking and heating, and enables restoration of indigenous forests, ecosystems and land in Eswatini (9).

Biomass energy generation leads to improved waste management and power reliability for producers in the sugar and forestry industries, capitalizing on the country's renewable biomass potential reaching around 170 MW between the sugar and timber industries (14).

Despite its renewable energy character, burning of biomass for energy generation releases carbon dioxide, contributing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector (20).

The expansion of monocrops such as sugarcane and forestry plantations, required as inputs for biomass energy generation, may worsen soil degradation and negatively impact fragile ecosystems (9).

Forestry and sugarcane traditionally require large areas of land for cultivation; increased production thereof could restrict access to land by smallholder farmers (9).

Co-production of energy from agricultural bi-products relies on success of farms and is therefore vulnerable to external factors, such as climatic conditions and market conditions, which may limit the expected impact.

If biomass energy production does not lead to reduced energy costs and increased connectivity, the rural energy crisis will not be adequately addressed and the expected impact may be limited (9).

If the sugar and forestry industry support imported energy rather than cogenerated power from bagasse boilers, due to historically cheaper prices, the expected impact may be limited (20).

Utilise biomass waste from sugar and forestry industries to enhance energy security and reduce import dependency.

National Energy Policy, 2018: this Seeks to create a framework for the energy sector that is robust and aligned to global trends. It highlights the potential of liquid and solid biomass to contribute to the resilience of Eswatini's energy sector (5).

Kingdom of Eswatini Energy Masterplan 2034: Seeks to provide national decision makers with the necessary information for planning future energy sector development and includes plans for expanding the overall biomass energy production capacity of Eswatini (1).

Independent Power Producers (IPP) Policy, 2015 : Aims to increase the utilization of local renewable energy resources, including biomass besides solar, by establishing an enabling environment to promote the establishment of sustainable renewable energy and IPP generation sources (21).

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policy of 2019: Seeks to secure energy supply through locally available resources. It is a high-level roadmap for implementation, covering regulations, financing, institutional responsibilities and monitoring evaluation (22).

Financial incentives: The Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan seeks to establish a 15 MW biomass energy plant valued at E 800 million (USD 52 Million) as part of its planned energy projects (19).

Fiscal incentives: As part of the Special Economic Zone Act (2018), investors benefit from a 20-year exemption from all corporate taxation (followed by taxation at 5%); full refunds of customs, value-added tax, and other taxes payable on goods purchased and unrestricted repatriation of profits (22).

Other incentives: The S10 Lifeline Tariff cushions lower usage customers against high prices; it is an attempt to increase energy security and advance poverty alleviation (33).

Eswatini Electricity Act, 2007: Reforms and consolidates the laws regulating the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity in Eswatini and sets obligations to hold licenses (1).

Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority Act, 2007: Allows the establishment of Swaziland Energy Regulatory Authority with the mandate to administer the Electricity Act (1).

Swaziland Electricity Company Act, 2007: Provides for the establishment of the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) under the Companies Act and performance by that Company of the powers and functions presently performed by the EEC relating to the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of energy (23).

The Grid Connection Code for Renewable Power Plants Connected to the Electricity Transmission System or the Distribution System, 2014: Specifies minimum technical requirements for renewable energy plants wishing to connect to the grid (24).

Eswatini Petroleum Act, 2020: Inserts that the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) will provide licensing application forms for downstream petroleum activities; the National Petroleum company is mandated to blend and distribute fuel (31, 32).

Legal Notice No. 324 the Public Procurement Act, 2020: Regulates the procurement of goods, works and services by procuring entities, including for biomass energy generation, to ensure transparency, accountability and promote diverse private sector participation in public procurements (36).

ILOVO Sugar, UBOMBO Sugar Ltd, Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation, Montigny, Peak Timbers, Mhlante Group, Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, Symbion Power, Electricite de France South Africa, ABF Energy Limited, BNM Technology Group, Eswatini Europe Energy Resource Consortium.

Eswatini National Petroleum Company, Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA), Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC).

European Union (EU), African Development Bank (AfDB), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), World Bank Group (WBG).

Eswatini Cane Growers Association.