Lesotho’s solar plans receive support from USTDA
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has agreed to finance a feasibility study for Lesotho's first large-scale PV project, which is a 20MW solar facility that has been under development since 2017, in the African country’s Mafeteng district.
USTDA has announced that it has awarded a feasibility study grant to Lesotho’s independent power producer, OnePower Lesotho.
The study will be conducted by US-based CDM International, which is said to be finalizing the remaining preparatory work needed for the project to attract financing and reach implementation.
In August 2017, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), which is managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), agreed to provide NEO I SPV Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of OnePower Lesotho, with a $695,500 grant to finance the preparation of a bankable business case for the project.
According to the SEFA, the solar park will facilitate Lesotho’s strategic phase-out of costly power imports from Mozambique and the reduction of imported coal-generated power from South Africa.
