LESOTHO – RENEWABLE ENERGY GRID INTEGRATION STUDY (REGIS)

CONTEXT

Lesotho is endowed with significant renewable energy resources, mostly solar and wind, which are untapped.  With the scarcity of the traditional energy resources, the Government strategy to meet future demand is to increase the role of renewable energy sources through on-grid connected projects, and off-grid distributed isolated generation and associated networks, while reducing the dependence on imported electricity.  The Government sees also the significant role the private sector could play in achieving the strategic objective. In line with underlying policy, the Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA), with the assistance of international consultants, completed a study in 2015 to provide a framework for the development of regulations to promote private sector participation in the development of renewable energy in Lesotho.  The study recommendations are, however, yet to be implemented by the Government. With the expected improvements in battery storage technology, internationally, renewable energy sources could play a significant role in the electricity supply-mix of Lesotho.  In this regard, the Government wishes to examine and understand the impacts that the intermittent energy production from solar and wind could have on the power grid and the overall reliability of power supply, and to undertake the necessary investments in grid reinforcement, and enhance capacity in transmission system operations, including the necessary technological improvements. The Renewable Energy Grid Integration/Absorption Study is to be undertaken for this purpose.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to assess the impacts on the transmission and distribution networks of the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) of variable renewable energy generation (VREG) and to establish the level of absorption, both quantitatively and in relative terms of such intermittent renewable energy generation in the LEC power system in the medium to long-term.  The study should provide results under scenarios of integration in the transmission grid by LEC and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and in the distribution system by households and other consumers. The study should address the technical barriers so that the greater adoption of renewable energy will progress quickly in Lesotho, assisting in the “take-off phase” by (i) mastering how to control grid with renewable energy; and (ii) lowering the cost of renewable energy integration by saving the investment on regulation reserve considering that Lesotho power system is a fully integrated operating member of the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP).  It should also enable enhanced capacity of the staff of LEC in transmission and distribution system planning and analyses to carry out similar studies through well designed and structured training, as well the acquisition, under the study, of the latest power industry accepted software for transmission and distribution studies and planning.

DESCRIPTION

The work developed by Gesto encompasses the following activities:

– Field Visit and Inception Report

– Technical Review of the LEC Transmission and Distribution Systems

– Assessment of VREG Grid Integration/Absorption impacts on System Operation and Reliability

– Assessment of VREG Integration Impacts on Supply Costs of Agreed Scenarios

– Training

– Support to LEC in the Acquisition of Computer Software for Network Studies

– Reporting and Final Workshop

SUMMARY OF SERVICES

• Data Mining
• Data Analysis
• Country Profiling
• Renewable Energy Assessment
• Grid Integration Studies
• Energy Sector Assessment
• SCADA/EMS Design
• Energy Policy