The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has issued a tender for a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study on floating solar power plants at the Katse and Mohale reservoirs. The initiative is part of the broader Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and aims to explore the potential of generating renewable energy on the surface of these major water bodies.
According to the tender document, the study will assess the technical, economic, financial, environmental, and social impacts of deploying floating solar power plants on the Katse and Mohale reservoirs in central Lesotho.
The selected consultancy firm will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive feasibility study, along with related complementary assessments, for floating solar photovoltaic developments on both reservoirs.
Floating PV would help address concerns over the limited availability of relatively flat land in the mountainous country, as well as potential land-use conflicts, while also offering an opportunity to reduce dependence on energy imports—which currently account for nearly 50% of Lesotho’s electricity consumption. The tender adds that modular, scalable floating PV systems could enable deployments larger than 100 megawatts.
Beyond these benefits, floating solar could also support Lesotho’s emerging solar industry. According to the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), the country currently has roughly 34 MW of operational solar energy capacity. The largest operational facility is the 30 MW Ha Ramarothole solar farm in the Mafeteng District, with the remaining capacity coming primarily from small-scale solar home systems and institutional installations.
The Katse and Mohale dam reservoirs rank among the largest artificial lakes in Lesotho. Pre-feasibility studies conducted by the Energy Research Centre at the National University of Lesotho indicate that both reservoirs hold considerable promise for floating solar photovoltaic installations, establishing the foundation for the next phase of project development.
The deadline for submitting proposals for the tender is 29 June 2026. LHDA says it plans to award the contract by the end of August, with work expected to begin in early October.
