Electricity in Lesotho in 2022

In 2022, Lesotho's electricity consumption was characterized by its reliance on low-carbon energy sources, predominantly hydroelectric power. The country's focus on hydropower, which provides most if not all of its clean electricity, highlights a strong preference for low-carbon options over fossil fuels. However, in terms of overall electricity consumption, Lesotho's average is significantly lower than the global average of 432 watts per person. This relatively low level of electricity generation can lead to limitations in industrial growth, reduced socioeconomic development, and challenges in providing adequate services such as healthcare and education.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Lesotho could look to examples from countries that have achieved impressive results in clean energy production. For instance, Brazil has leveraged wind power to generate 96 TWh of electricity. Similarly, India, a developing nation like Lesotho, has made significant strides with both solar (113 TWh) and wind (82 TWh) energy. By investing in similar technologies, Lesotho could diversify its energy mix beyond hydroelectric power. Additionally, exploring the potential for nuclear energy, as exemplified by countries such as South Korea and Mexico, can provide a reliable and consistent source of low-carbon electricity, contributing further to energy security and sustainability.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Lesotho is largely centered around hydroelectric power. In the early 2000s, the country saw modest, incremental increases in hydro generation, with notable rises of 0.1 TWh in 2000 and 0.2 TWh in 2005. However, from 2006 onwards, hydro production largely stagnated, with some years showing no growth and others marking minor fluctuations. The notable exception was 2011, which saw a slight decrease of 0.2 TWh, indicating a potential issue in that year. Moving forward, consistent and larger-scale investments in diversified low-carbon sources like wind, solar, and possibly nuclear could help stabilize and expand Lesotho's clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources