Renewable Energy Access Tender

Project ID P166936Status ActiveCountry LesothoApproval Date as of board presentation January 30 2020Total Project Cost US 52.90 millionRegion AfricaClosing Date January 31 2027Commitment Amount US 40.00 millionScope of WorkTo Implement Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project.DescriptionThe project aims to provide access to electricity to households in rural and peri-urban areas small and medium enterprises SMEs and economic centres that are both grid-connected and off grid. In peri-urban areas electrification will be achieved through grid extension. Off-grid systems will be favoured in rural areas. Extension of the grid will be executed by installing medium and low-voltage lines between 11kV and 33kV. The project will also rehabilitate existing substations and construct new ones. The new facilities will provide electricity to farming areas such as Butha-Buthe to industrial areas such as Mokhotlong and Berea and to highland areas such as Qachas Nek. In rural areas the government intends to rehabilitate the Semonkong mini-grid which is supplied by a small hydropower plant 113km from the capital Maseru and has a capacity of 180kW. The mini grid currently does not meet populations expectations as its turbine is idle. The project will also enable the construction of a 1.5 MWp solar photovoltaic off grid that will support the rehabilitated Semonkong hydroelectric power plant. The solar power plant will be equipped with a 500kWh storage system. Additionally 39 solar-powered mini-grids will be constructed in rural areas of Lesotho. Lesotho is renowned for abundant supply of unspoiled and unexploited water resources capturing approximately 50 of Southern Africas total catchment run-off therefore hydropower contributes to most of its electricity needs. However the country still imports energy from neighboring countries to meet its demand.