Lesotho

The electricity supply industry in Lesotho is dominated by two state owned entities, namely the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC), which is the monopoly transmitter, distributor and supplier of electricity, and the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), which is the main generator of electricity through its ‘Muela Hydro Power Station. The generating station is part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.All power to Lesotho was supplied by ESKOM in South Africa before the commissioning of the Muela hydroelectric power station, fully operational since January 1999.

• Muela Hydropower Station is located in the north of Lesotho in the Butha-Buthe District. It is fed by Katse reservoir via a 45 km-long concrete lined transfer tunnel with a diameter of 4.35m. The Hydropower Stations has a capacity of 80 MW and generates 85% of Lesotho’s electricity requirements.