The Right Honourable the Prime Minister Samuel Matekane, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers as well as stakeholders in the electrification sector launched a hydropower station in Semonkong aimed at improving access to reliable electricity for the community.
For years, residents of Semonkong have relied on solar power, which was available for only about 14 hours a day, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Speaking at the launch, The Right Honourable the prime Minister Matekane said Semonkong had been declared a town many years ago and that the government constructed a mini-hydropower station in 1990. However, the facility faced numerous challenges and failed to adequately meet the community’s electricity needs.
He said the station also relied on generators, which contributed to environmental pollution.
The Prime Minister said the current government had set a target of ensuring that every Mosotho has access to electricity by 2030 and was working towards achieving the goal.
He said the government had also embarked on a feasibility study for the construction of an 80-megawatt hydropower station, as well as another hydropower project in Mohale’s Hoek.
He said these projects, would contribute towards Lesotho’s ability to generate sufficient electricity to meet the country’s needs.
Regarding the Semonkong project, Mr. Matekane said the plan was to revive the existing 220-kilowatt hydropower station, install a battery storage system with a capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours, and provide a diesel generator as a backup.
The project is expected to supply electricity to about 100 households around Semonkong town.
He disclosed that the project would cost approximately M78 million and was being implemented with the support of the World Bank.Prime Minister Matekane said the project was expected to contribute significantly to improving the livelihoods of the people of Semonkong.
At the end of the event, the Prime Minister presented 400 blankets to Community Policing Forums and bags of grain to needy members of the community.
Breastfeeding mothers also received birth certificates for their infants, as well as financial assistance to meet their children’s needs.
Speaking at the same occasion, Acting World Bank Representative in Lesotho Ms. Mafupu Mokoena expressed the World Bank’s pride in being part of the initiative, saying the project demonstrated the commitment of stakeholders to improving livelihoods and ensuring that Lesotho thrives despite its challenges.
She said it was an honour for the World Bank to be entrusted by the Government of Lesotho with such an important project.
Ms. Mokoena expressed hope that the project would significantly improve livelihoods, particularly in the education and tourism sectors.
She said the project would also contribute to improving health centres and businesses in Semonkong.
Ms. Mokoena appealed to the community to protect the equipment and infrastructure to ensure the sustainability of the project.
Member of Parliament for Maletsunyane, Mr. Peiso Kelane, said the community had endured hardships for years because of unreliable electricity, at one point going for two consecutive months without power.
“Businesses collapsed, corpses had to be carried to mortuaries in Maseru, and this shows how desperately we need power installation here.”
Mr. Kelane said investors had expressed interest in coming to Semonkong, but the lack of reliable electricity had remained one of the major obstacles.
He said there were currently three generators at the power station, but they had proved insufficiency to meet the community’s needs, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
The Semonkong community currently has access to solar power for approximately 14 hours each day.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.
