Sing me Psalms, Phapano on energy projects
BOKANG MOSHOESHOE
MASERU – Ministry of Energy Principal Secretary, Tankiso Phapano, has provided an important update on the progress of various electricity projects being implemented by the ministry.
Speaking at the media briefing, Phapano detailed the government’s efforts to enhance energy infrastructure, expand electricity access and address challenges affecting project implementation.
Before getting into details, Phapano urged media houses to “stop misleading the people by reporting news without properly investigating them.”
He made an example how media houses should operate by saying they should copy from media houses from developed countries as “which operate without using propaganda.”
Phapano cautioned going forward if any media house reports false news without doing proper investigations about their ministry they (energy ministry) will sue such media house.
During the briefing, Phapano outlined key milestones achieved, ongoing initiatives and strategies to overcome hurdles such as funding constraints, technical challenges and regulatory processes.
The update comes at a time when energy demands continue to grow, making it essential for the government to accelerate project completion and ensure a stable and reliable power supply.
The PS stated that the ministry has projects which fall under rural electrification unit, these are projects used to connect electricity within the villages.
He continued that the ending financial year for the first time the government issued M230 million as per his plea.
Previous governments he said usually allocated only M50 million for the ministry. But very unfortunately they encountered the Eskom, ‘Muela and LEC problem of shutting down for six months.
‘‘Last financial year before my arrival under electrification it was only one village which was electrified, this ending financial year I have electrified about 15 villages the likes of Sekhutlong, Ha Makoaela, Mphaki, Mohlakeng, Makaung etc. with M120 million. Is it not an achievement which deserves to be published?” Phapano kidded, Trump-style.
“Due to this good performance the budget is increased to M280 million,’’ Phapano declared.
He concluded by stating that there are other five outstanding villages with contracts yet to be signed, also it is the first time rural electrification has performed this good under the administration.
Phapano detailed that rural electrification sponsored by the World Bank which had been put on hold for two years before is set to continue highlighting the project at Rothe is at 75 percent set for completion in June/July. The Ha Belo project is said to be at 2.2 percent as it has just commenced while the Thabana-Morena project is at 99 percent.
‘Mathabo Mahahabisa, the CEO of Lesotho Electricity Generation Company – LEGCO stated that the Ha Ramarothole project was set to be a 70 megawatts solar plant, but the government decided that since it would be the very first time to build such plant it should be reduced to 30 megawatts for starters to ease management and provide much needed experience.
‘‘The first phase of 30 watts was completed in 2023, the solar energy is installed to the national grid and there is supply of electricity within the country, it is electricity worth M90 million supplied to LEC.
As we continue to the next Phase II can assure you that all the necessary assessments to be done by the Exim Bank since all the finances for this projects are a loan from the Exim Bank of China,’’ Mahahabisa explained.
She added that the Phase II of this project was said to be 40 watts but things have changed, as there is an extra addition of 10 megawatts making the plant to be an 80 megawatts capacity plant.
Through the expansion of power generation capacity, modernization of transmission and distribution networks, and investment in renewable energy, LEC ensures the stable an efficient electricity supply as well as a resilient energy sector that meets the demand of today and the aspiration of future generation.
