The Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane says the Ranarothole Solar Energy generation will benefit the community of Mafeteng and the nation.
This, he said during the handing over ceremony of the Ramarothole Solar Energy Project from TBEA Xinjiang New Energy to the Government of Lesotho at a ceremony held at Ha Ramarothole in Mafeteng on Monday.
Prime Minister Matekane said the country is currently experiencing a challenge of insufficient electricity.
“The government intends to ensure the generation of electricity for its people and to sell the excess to other countries,” he said.
He said the Lesotho government through the Ministry of Natural Resources continues to learn various methods of generating electricity through clean energy (water and air), saying the 30 Megawatts of Solar Energy generation will not only benefit the community of Mafeteng but the whole nation.
The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Government of China for supporting the project for the benefit of Basotho, saying this further strengthens the bilateral relations between the two countries.
He urged members of the community in the area together with the local authorities to protect the project as they are primary beneficiaries of the project.
The Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Mohlomi Moleko expressed his gratitude for the completion of the project, adding that is important as the country is currently not able to generate sufficient electricity for its people.
“We need 200 megawatts more as we only have 72 megawatts and today 30 megawatts solar project is completed, which means we can produce more and sell the excess to other countries,” he said.
Speaking about the current alternative electricity generation, he stressed that ‘Muela Power Electricity Generation is about to be transformed, noting that it is expected to take at least six months and hopefully be completed in December.
The Minister confirmed that all villages around the project would have electricity and water therefore appealed to villagers in the area to ensure the security of the project for its sustainability.
When handing over the project, the Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Mr. Lei Kezhong said the completed project is among many being carried out in the country of Lesotho and supported by the government of China.
Mr. Lei said the Government of China is willing to support African countries and Lesotho is no exception, congratulating the contractors for the completion of the project layout.
The Principal Chief of Likhoele, Chief Lerotholi Seeiso said the project is bringing reliable electricity as compared to the neighbouring South Africa where they are currently experiencing loading shedding in phases.
Chief Lerotholi pleaded with the Ha Ramarothole communities to protect the project as it will not benefit only the people in that area but Basotho as they await Phase II of the project.
The Area Chief, Chief Konyana Ramarothole said they appreciate the presence of the project in the area and pledged to secure it.
“We would like to applaud the government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Natural Resources for compensating all the involved households through their fields, the project has changed the livelihoods of the community in our area,” said the Chief.
Chief Konyana said following the launch of the project normal criminal offences in the area have also declined.
Source: LENA 12/06/2023
