Browsing by Author "Letebele, Tsepo"

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    GIS-based electrification planning for Lesotho using ons SET/GEP
    (National University of Lesotho, 2023) Letebele, Tsepo; Thamae, Leboli Zak
    Universal access to clean and affordable modern electricity is a social and economic development challenge for many countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study carries out an in-depth analysis of GIS-based electrification planning for Lesotho using OnSSET/GEP from 2020 to 2030 to support SDG 7. The analysis looks at how an electrification rate of 47.3% by 2020 can be improved to 100% by 2030 in order to contribute to the development of a visual, interactive and effective electrification master plan as part of a wider national integrated resources planning. The study results based on the LCOE calculations indicate that optimum electrification for Lesotho can be achieved using a blended mix of grid and off-grid technologies. Grid technology has an LCOE of around 0.087 US$/kWh while of-grid technologies have an LCOE in the range between 0.229 and 0.8 US$/kWh. The electrification technology mix from this study consists of existing and extended grid networks covering the majority of the lowlands and towns in the urban areas, stand-alone solar photovoltaic (PV) systems covering the majority of rural settlements, wind power mini-grids and hydropower mini-grids covering dense rural settlements. The total investment required for Lesotho to attain universal access to electricity by 2030 is estimated at $401.54 million to be used for infrastructure, household connections and the generation of additional new capacity. Electrification through grid connections requires 65.81% of the total investment with off-grid technologies taking up the remaining 34.19% of the investment. Results further illustrate that stand-alone solar PV systems are the least-cost technology for off-grid connections that require around 95% of the total investment towards off-grid electrification technologies. The sensitivity analysis indicates that higher electricity demand and increased population growth rate require more electrification investments and usage of the grid and mini-grid technologies while lower demand requires less investment together with the usage of stand-alone solar PV systems. Moreover, reduced solar PV technology costs encourage the usage of solar PV systems, both stand-alone and mini-grids with less investment costs.