The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) has completed a detailed investigation into ongoing power quality problems on Malkerns Feeder 1003. The inquiry followed repeated complaints from customers – especially in the agricultural sector – about equipment damage, production losses, and frequent supply disturbances.
To verify these reports, ESERA used a combination of customer interviews, on-site inspections, and Class A power quality monitoring with Unipower instruments installed at multiple locations along the feeder and at the substation.
The measurements confirmed that Feeder 1003 is underperforming, with a high number of voltage sags. Most of these disturbances originate upstream of the substation, pointing to deeper issues within the Eswatini Electricity Company’s (EEC) national supply network. These problems are intensified by a very poor power factor on the feeder, linked to peak solar production and heavy inductive loads.
The investigation also revealed that the recently upgraded Malkerns substation lacks power factor correction, leaving it unable to manage the feeder’s reactive power demand.
ESERA concludes that the feeder’s challenges stem from a combination of infrastructure shortcomings, limited maintenance, and customer side conditions. Long term improvements will require coordinated technical action rather than temporary fixes. The authority will continue monitoring with Unipower instruments and stay in close contact with affected customers to help restore a reliable and stable power supply in the affected area.
