Action for access to energy and economic development
Context
Energy poverty in Lesotho remains a significant barrier to the socio-economic development and wellbeing of rural communities. Grid electricity infrastructure is unlikely to reach rural communities for the foreseeable future necessitating alternatives that are sustainable and which address the energy needs of rural populations.
Varying statistics on electricity access in Lesotho are available, but at best 27% of the population has access to the grid [World Bank, 2016]. There is a significant reliance on biomass and fossil fuels for cooking and heating with resultant pressure on natural resources. Only 4% of energy access in Lesotho is through renewable energy solutions [Trading Economics, 2016].
Rural Self-help Development Association (RSDA), established in Lesotho in 1991, supports rural Basotho by enabling sustainable agriculture and building the capacity of rural women to strengthen and diversify agricultural activities and increase food security in the face of declining rural incomes and increased climate vulnerability. RSDA is the local implementation partner for this project.
Objectives
• Overall objective: To contribute to the economic development of rural households in Lesotho through access to energy efficient and renewable energy services and technologies.
• Specific objective: At least one household energy need is met within 5,000 rural households in five Districts of Lesotho through the distribution of EERE technology solutions on a sustainable
basis by RSDA.
rsdalesotho.com 