Statement by Lesotho

Thank you Mr. Chaiman, may I thank the Panelists for this morning and afternoon for the
informative presentations. The Lesotho delegation would like to share with the session
experiences in renewable energy.
The generally mountaneous terrain and dispersed setllements place renewable energies on
a competetive advantage over other energy carriers.
Renewable energies have been used in a wide spectrum of applications for many years.
Specifically, solar (photovoltaic) energy has continued to play a central role in village
water pumping fin the rural areas.
Accelarated expansion of renewable energy presents a challenge due to a number of
constraints.
In order to address the barriers a number of initiatives including, but not limited to the
following , have been pursued; renewable energy is now part of the curriculum at post-
primary level as a measure to improve dissemination and awareness raising efforts on
these types of energy carriers. Also special emphasis is placed on the use of renewable
energy for income generating activities thus contributing to poverty reduction, one of the
greatest challenges facing Lesotho and cushioning the initial high investment costs of
renewable energy technologies.
Regarding the competetiveness of renewable energy technologies, case studies of three
hospitals in Lesotho confirm that solar water heating water is economically more
attractive over a long term compared grid electricity. Most hospitals in Lesotho now use
solar heated water. Inclusion of other parameters such as environmental cost in tariff
setting, will have a further positive impact on renewable energy generated electricity.
Thank you all for your kind attention.


The impact of climate change is real. In Lesotho, for example, we have had more
frequent and more severe droughts and floods in the last ten years than we have
had since 1978. It has also affected the water in our rivers making small hydro
schemes and animal watering impossible.
As many of you know, Lesotho is the water source for the Southern Africa region.
Its headwaters flow through South Africa to the Indian Ocean in the East and
Atlantic Ocean in the west touching Botswana and flowing through Namibia.
Protection of these sources is critical to for the livelihoods of millions in Southern
Africa as well as the ground water resources of the region.
On a more optimistic note, Lesotho has adopted a green economy development
strategy, and is poised to be the first country to meet all electricity needs from
renewable energy. Currently 75% of our electricity needs is derived from hydro
power. We presently have three exciting projects at an advanced stage of
preparation and feasibility studies. These are a 1000 MW pump storage hydro
electricity generation; a 35 MW wind farm; and a 70 MW solar power project.
With the SADC power pool and power purchase agreements Lesotho can
develop these renewal energy projects and contribute to the reduction of the
emissions of greenhouse gases.
Mr. President,
Let us not disappoint the millions of our peoples who are looking to us to take
bold decisions to save our planet and leave a legacy of green global economy to
future generations.
Thank you