The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) is searching for a consultancy firm to undertake a floating solar feasibility study.

The tender document states the study will cover the technical, economic, financial, environmental and social impact of deploying floating solar power plants on the Katse and Mohale reservoirs located in central Lesotho.

The chosen consultant will also be tasked with advising LHDA on project phasing, size and technologies of the proposed plants, as well as compiling tender documentation for an engineering, procurement and construction contract, including capacity building to transfer operation and maintenance to LHDA.

The tender says floating PV addresses concerns around relatively flat land availability and land-use conflicts in Lesotho while offering an opportunity to decrease dependence on energy imports, which currently total nearly 50% of the country’s electricity consumption. It adds that the modular, scalable floating PV systems could allow for deployments larger than 100 MW.

The two reservoirs, built by the Katse and Mohale Dams, are among the largest artificial lakes in Lesotho. Water is collected in the Mohale reservoir and moved via a transfer tunnel to the Katse reservoir where it travels towards the Muela hydropower station, a 72 MW hydroelectric facility connected to Lesotho’s national grid.

A pre-feasibility study conducted by the Energy Research Centre at the National University of Lesotho has already shown there is “large potential” for deploying floating PV at the two sites, the tender document adds.

The deadline to submit proposals is June 29. LHDA plans to award the contract by the end of August, with work expected to begin in early October.

The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) has identified 34.3 MW of operational solar in Lesotho, according to data available in its project database. Lesotho’s largest operational project is the 30 MW Ha Ramarothole solar farm located in the Mafeteng district on the country’s western border.