Energy infrastructure is shaped long before construction begins — through analysis, financial decisions, and system planning that determine whether projects are viable, affordable, and sustainable.

At the National University of Lesotho’s Energy Research Centre (ERC), this work focuses on supporting institutions as they navigate these early and decisive stages of energy project development.

ERC recently delivered a solicited Project Finance training for the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), following earlier ERC consultancy on a pre-feasibility (desktop) study of floating solar PV on dams under LHDA’s authority. That study assessed technical potential, anticipated benefits, and grid integration considerations for floating solar systems.

Building on this foundation, European Union Lesotho is now supporting LHDA to mobilise financing for a comprehensive feasibility study. The Project Finance training, held from 19–23 January 2026, equipped participants with practical tools to evaluate financing mechanisms, apply financial structuring approaches, and assess risk, return, and performance of energy projects.

The training also strengthened transferable skills related to independent analysis and communicating financial concepts in project environments, and awarded 4.0 CPD points. Participant feedback highlighted the relevance of the course to LHDA’s mandate and its contribution to strengthening internal decision-making capacity.

This engagement forms part of a broader capacity-building pathway. A subsequent solicited training on grid integration, scheduled for 16–20 February 2026, will address the technical and system-level considerations required to connect renewable energy infrastructure to the national grid.

Together, these activities demonstrate how applied research, targeted training, and institutional collaboration contribute to building the foundations for credible, implementable energy projects — supporting Lesotho’s long-term energy planning and development objectives.