Rethabile Pitso
THE Ministry of Energy, through the Rural Electrification Unit (REU), has awarded electrification tenders to 14 contractors in a move aimed at uplifting more than 8000 households countrywide.
The contractors are expected to roll out 17 electrification projects starting next month.
The smallest projects are projected to be completed by December 2026, while larger ones are likely to spill over into 2027.
The M308 million project has been awarded to Highlands Construction, LR Construction, Lead-On Technologies, Ultimate Solutions, Arabian Electrics, Treasure Investment Group, Leseho Construction, Eskon Engineering, MR Construction, The Village Construction, LETS Electrical Contractor, PowerTech Electrical Services, Excellent Construction and Barb Stev Energy Solutions.
Villages set to benefit include Lifotholeng in the Berea district; Morolong, Ntholi, Ha Napo and Mokhokhong in Leribe; Bocheletsane in Thaba-Tseka; Ha Matsie and Ha Mohlehli in Mafeteng; Ha Nkoboto and Bulu-Bulu in Mohale’s Hoek; Ha Ntho and Ha Malephane in Quthing; as well as Tlokoeng in Mokhotlong and Thaba Phatsoa.
The development was revealed by REU Manager Kolomane Khoarai in an interview with the Lesotho Times this week.
Mr Khoarai expressed optimism about the completion of the projects, citing strong support from the ministry which gave then greenlight to award the tenders.
He said that in recent years electrification has been prioritised in line with Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s pledge to electrify every Mosotho household by 2030.
He said that when previously completed projects are taken into account, approximately 12 000 households will have been electrified by the end of the current financial year—an outcome reflecting a clear and deliberate trajectory set by recent government interventions.
“In recent years, government has shown great commitment towards electrification projects. However, budget allocations in the past were not consistent with the demand on hand,” Mr Khoarai said.
“For instance, in 2021 we were allocated M70 million, in 2021/22 we received M108 million, but in 2022/23 the allocation dropped to M95 million. With such figures, we failed to complete many projects.
“Last year was the first time we received a substantial allocation of M280 million. This enabled us to meet our annual target of electrifying 18 000 households, which we achieved with assistance from our sister department, the Lesotho Rural Energy and Access Project (LREAP), which implemented around 6000 projects through funding provided by the World Bank,” he said.
Mr Khoarai also expressed confidence ahead of the projects set to commence next month, noting that the majority of selected contractors are “A-list” companies that he believes will execute the work diligently following a rigorous vetting process.
“These contractors were selected through a pre-qualification process conducted by the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC), which categorises contractors into A, B or C,” he said.
“Category A companies must demonstrate significant financial capacity and possess assets such as cranes, 4×4 pick-up trucks and TLBs, among others. Access to funding is also critical, as contractors must be able to secure bank credit, sometimes up to M3 million, when the need arises.
“To qualify as a category A contractor, a company must also have experience in executing projects valued at least M9 million within the past three years,” he explained.
He said that among the 14 contractors awarded tenders, the highest contract was valued at M31 million, followed by several contracts worth M20 million and M25 million. The lowest-valued contract, at M5 million, was awarded for electrification works in Morolong and Ha Ntholi villages in Leribe, which were left incomplete under a previous project.
Mr Khoarai further noted that government plans to improve inter-ministerial coordination ahead of project implementation to ensure joint support for contractors, particularly with road repairs—tasks that have often been left to contractors to undertake before commencing their mandated works.
