Lesotho targets clean-energy exports

Lesotho is working towards boosting its energy production capacity as it seeks to become self-sufficient and eventually a net exporter of clean energy to the Southern African Development Community region, via the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) platform.

This was said by the Principal Secretary for theMinistry of Energy, Tankiso Phapano, at the recent 59^th SAPP Executive Committee Meeting in Maseru.

The event marked SAPP’s 30th anniversary and highlighted the need for regional cooperation, energy security, and sustainable development.

Officiating on behalf of Minister of Energy, Mohlomi Moleko, Phapano said the government wants to make Lesotho an attractive destination for sustainable foreign directive investment

He noted that SAPP stands as a testament to the power of cooperation in achieving energy security, economic growth, and regional integration.

He also called on experts in the field to continue applying their minds and bring solutions that will keep the lights on domestically, agriculturally, and industry running.

“Electricity is a key enabler in economic development and experts are the ones at the centreof ensuring this and addressing challenges in the region,” Phapano said.

He further expressed that vandalism of transmission infrastructure is on the increase, and as the ministry responsible for energy, they were committed to combating this. 

For his part, the managing director of the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) Tŝeliso ‘Mokela, said SAPP represents more than interconnection power of systems bodies, but shared commitments.

‘Mokela stated that for nearly three decades, SAPP has stood as a pillar regional cooperation enabling member countries to optimise resources, strengthen reliability and to advance the collective energy for Southern Africa,

“As we host this executive committee, we reaffirm that commitment. Not only as beneficiaries for regional co-operation, but as acting contributors to the shared progress and resilience of our region,”he said.