Lesotho’s electricity capacity can be 100 MW if the projected public-private partnership between Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) and Astra Energy INC succeeds. This is after the independent power producer installed 50 MW of renewable energy in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Astra Energy is amongst the few companies looking to explore renewable resources, with previous and upcoming projects utilizing solar power and waste-to-energy conversion. The American company aims to double Lesotho’s electricity capacity, which currently stands at 77 MW.
Also, the partnership aims to diversify Lesotho’s power sources. Currently, 95% of the population with access to power gets it from the hydroelectric schemes. This is a big step regarding the switch to climate-friendly power sources and the push for a sustainable environment and green economy.
According to Astra’s head, Ron Loudoun, “…the project will improve the reliability of the electricity supply, which is essential for a growing economy. Successful completion of the project will also create direct and indirect employment and positively impact other sectors of the economy that depend heavily on a regular, cost-effective supply of electricity”.
Therefore, the youth stand to benefit directly through employment, while entrepreneurs can get easy access to power for respective uses in startups or during business growth. This also shows the opportunity and potential of Africa in renewable energy production. More interested companies should also join Astra to explore Africa’s surplus renewable resources.
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