THE ICONIC GREEN VILLAGE
THE ICONIC GREEN VILLAGE – Bulembu is moving towards Green Energy Sources.
According to a 2018 Swaziland Energy Regulatory Authority (SERA) report, Eswatini generates a total of 178.8 MW of electricity. About 35 % of that figure comes from its four hydroelectricity power plants and the remainder from non-renewable energy sources which use biomass and diesel to generate electricity. Unfortunately, non-renewable energy sources come with a lot of carbon emissions, a leading cause of climate change.
In addition to the negative impact of non-renewable energy power plants, 70% of the population still use fuelwood for heating and cooking. The downside of this is that many indigenous forests continue to disappear as people cut down trees for firewood. The resultant deforestation and CO2 emissions that come with the use of firewood are other causes of global warming.
In order to halt or reverse climate change, a global call has been made through the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, for countries to increase the adoption of renewable energy.
Challenge Ministries Swaziland (CMS) has chosen not to be spectators in the war against climate change. The organization has adopted a vision to make Bulembu an iconic “Green Village” where 100% of its energy needs will be sourced from renewable energy. This will make the town a centre for demonstration and education on renewable and sustainable energy in Eswatini.
In order to make this dream a reality, CMS has started scaling up the use of solar energy to meet its electricity needs in Bulembu and the In Community by Community (ICBC) centres dotted around the country.
By using a 100% green energy system, we are raising a generation of children who understand and believe in renewable energy. Besides that, the electricity costs of running the town will be cut down and more funds could be channelled towards taking care of orphans and vulnerable children in Eswatini.
CMS is also planning to expand the use of solar electricity in twenty-six of its ICBCs. Off-grid renewable energy has been proven to be a catalyst in transforming lives, improving health, and other sustainable development goals (SDGs). The United Nations’ SDG3 is for healthy lives, SDG4 for equitable and inclusive education, SDG 5, gender equality, SDG 8, economic growth, employment, and decent work, and SDG13 is for tackling climate change.
Without energy, the ICBC communities live in darkness without essential services in this day and age where schools, clinics, and businesses can barely function without electricity.
CMS is therefore inviting you to consider partnering with us in our quest to make Bulembu an Iconic Green village. This will not only bring Kingdom transformation to the lives of orphans and vulnerable children but also promote the adoption of green energy in Eswatini as the nation seeks to contribute positively to the global climate change efforts.
