Ministry of Energy and Meteorology Department of Energy Background - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Ministry of Energy and Meteorology Department of Energy

Background • Lesotho energy balance dominated by biomass, followed by petroleum and then electricity.

Current situation • Biomass accounts to about 72% of the households energy use in a form of wood, shrubs, cow dung and crop residues

Current situation • Peak demand 160MW – country generates 72MW • Electricity only accounts for 7% of energy demand • Despite enormous work done in last few years access still at 38% nationally, 67% urban, 21% peri urban and 12% rural (2016 censors) • Only 2% of the households use solar ( 2016 censors and 2018 HECS) • LREBRE project • Individual connections •

Policy Framework development • The department developed Energy Policy 2015 – 2025 which has been approved by the Cabinet • Policy goals – framework • Ensuring sercurity of supply • Contribute towards improvement of livelihoods • Contribute towards economic growth and investment • Contribute towards the protection of environment

Policy (cont’d) • Specific policy statement on renewable • The government will ensure sustainable supply of bioenergy resources • The government will improve access to renewable energy services and technologies • Strategies • Improve conservation measures, energy management as well as sustainable use of bioenergy resources • Promote the application of renewable energy technologies to income generating activities • Develop renewable energy programme to support fuel subsititutionin different demand sectors

Current policy implementation initiatives • Recently developed Electrification Master Plan (EMP); • grid expansion and • off grid electrification ( stand alone home and mini-grids ) • EU support - four companies funded to build energy hubs which will promote use of renewable energies in the rural areas • GEF/ UNDP support : set up pilot schemes for mini-grids • Ten communities in remote rural areas have been identified for these pilot • Ten areas for establishment of renewable energy business centres identified • Under FOCAC, the Government is in the process of developing 70 MW solar generation plant. • To be implemented in two phases – 30MW ph1 and 40MW ph2 • SREP support– construct a hybrid mini grid

Institutional Arrangement • Department of Energy – there is a need to restructure the department in order to do its coordination • REU – this unit has to be transformed to an agency that that will deal with off grid electrification • LEC – grid extension to rural arears where consumption is very low and hence the utility is running at the loss • LEWA – it only regulates the utility but not off grid • No off grid regulatory frameworks • Private sector – weak participation in the energy sector

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