The Department of Energy (DoE) of Lesotho through GET.transform has presented a new geospatial portal for electrification. The Lesotho Electrification Portal was developed in the context of the EU-funded Renewable Lesotho initiative and presented to energy sector stakeholders at the LEAD conference yesterday.
This innovative portal marks a significant milestone in Lesotho’s efforts to expand energy access across the country. Built using QGIS, an open-source geographic information system, the Portal allows users to view and track electrified areas throughout Lesotho. It also helps to identify the most opportune sites for new or enhanced electricity generation. Users like Lesotho’s Ministry of Energy, developers, financiers, transmission companies and, in short, everyone invested in advancing Lesotho’s electrification will be able to browse an interactive map to find locations that are best suited for off-grid electrification, such as mini-grids or stand-alone systems.
In developing the Geospatial Portal, the DoE had partnered with the European Union and tapped into the expertise of GET.transform in the frame of Renewable Lesotho. This cooperation between Lesotho and European programmes is part of Global Gateway, Europe’s flagship initiative to foster smart, clean and secure connections across the world.
“The Lesotho Electrification Portal is yet another example what strong partnership, innovation, and shared ambition can achieve. By bringing together local leadership, European expertise, and advanced geospatial tools, we are enabling Lesotho to make data-driven decisions that expand access to clean, reliable energy, ensuring no community is left behind,” says H.E. Mette Sunnergren, Ambassador of the European Union to Lesotho. “Under the Global Gateway and through Renewable Lesotho, the EU remains steadfast in supporting solutions that transform data into actionable insights, creating real opportunities for Basotho and businesses. This Portal is a tangible step toward a more inclusive and sustainable energy future for Lesotho”, she adds.
The portal is designed to be accessible and user-friendly and is hosted by the Department of Energy. It provides policymakers, planners, and development partners with a central source of electrification data.
Yesterday’s presentation highlighted the Portal’s potential and role in advancing Lesotho’s electrification planning and broader sustainable development goals.
