The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has invited qualified energy service providers, private companies, and energy contractors to register for off-grid electrification and sustainable energy initiatives in Lesotho. The call for Expressions of Interest is part of the broader “Renewable Lesotho” initiative, jointly funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland.
The initiative aims to improve access to clean and affordable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and support sustainable economic development across Lesotho. The program focuses particularly on rural and off-grid communities where access to the national electricity grid remains limited or unavailable.
Under the Access to Affordable Renewable Energy (AARE) project, UNDP plans to expand the deployment of decentralised renewable energy technologies while strengthening local administrative and technical capacity. The project will also introduce flexible financing mechanisms to encourage greater private sector participation in underserved markets.
The selected energy service providers will support the implementation of several clean energy solutions. These include the construction and operation of green mini-grids, distribution and maintenance of standalone solar home systems (SHS), and deployment of improved and energy-efficient cookstoves for households.
The program will place particular emphasis on vulnerable communities and essential public infrastructure. Female-headed households, rural schools, public health centres, and commercial facilities are among the targeted beneficiaries. Through these interventions, the initiative seeks to expand reliable energy access while improving services and economic opportunities in rural areas.
A key component of the program is a dedicated Results-Based Finance (RBF) facility. The mechanism is intended to reduce investment risks for private renewable energy companies and encourage them to enter rural markets that have historically been underserved. By providing financial incentives linked to project results, the facility is expected to support the development of a stronger domestic clean energy industry.
The RBF mechanism is also designed to contribute to the eventual establishment of Lesotho’s National Energy Fund. The initiative therefore combines direct energy access improvements with measures intended to strengthen the country’s long-term renewable energy financing ecosystem.
Participating energy service providers will have an opportunity to support Lesotho’s efforts toward universal energy access and greater climate resilience. The UNDP is seeking organisations with appropriate technical capabilities, experience, and institutional capacity to participate in the program.
Interested service providers and private sector firms are required to submit their credentials, organisational capability profiles, and technical proposals in accordance with UNDP procurement procedures. Qualified entities will be considered for current and future implementation tenders under the Renewable Lesotho and AARE project framework.
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