Solar Jobs & Energy - Village Minigrids in Lesotho

Hi folks,

Last week we obtained the construction permit for the full scale Ha Makebe solar minigrid from the Berea district planning office.  We also took a step towards completing the license application process by presenting at a pitso (village meeting) organized by LEWA (the regulator).  By law in Lesotho licenses to generate and distribute electricity must involve a formal public consultation, and the representatives from LEWA, along with chief Makebe and local councilor Zwane, gathered on a sunny Thursday morning and listened to the questions and concerns of the community surrounding the electrification process.  Overall, they found Ha Makebe residents were enthusiastic about electrification and well informed with regards to the commercial arrangements around connection and the unit price of electricity, thanks to 1PWR team's ongoing stakeholder engagement and the pilot connecting the two schools, church and 5 households that we have been operating in a corner of Ha Makebe for the past year.   LEWA had helpful advice regarding the priority of customer care, which 1PWR will be working to provide at a high standard during the coming years of operating the minigrid.  We look forwards to LEWA completing their process - this is the last stop on the road to construction of Lesotho's first solar minigrid and the community and 1PWR are eager to get started!

Matt