Lesotho energy mix & electricity
Electricity and energy data for Lesotho.
The power system is very small (under 1 TWh a year), so it is not included in share-based world rankings. A single plant can change its mix dramatically from one year to the next.
Electricity generation by source in 2024
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 0 | 100% | — |
| Total | 0 | 100% |
Lesotho: electricity in context
100% of the country’s power came from renewable sources. This puts it 66 points above the world average of 33.8%. It is also above the average for Africa (24.7%). Generating one kWh emits about 21 g CO₂e here (world average: 458 g). Few grids anywhere are this clean.
Wind and solar remain marginal in Lesotho, together supplying under 1% of electricity.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Lesotho against the world and Africa averages.
Power plants in Lesotho
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 1 utility-scale plants in Lesotho with a combined capacity of 0.1 GW. Hydro plants account for the largest slice (100% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is 'Muela (72 MW, Hydro). The database was last updated in 2021, so newer wind and solar farms and rooftop PV are under-represented.
Largest power plants
| # | Plant | Fuel | Capacity MW | Commissioned | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 'Muela | Hydro | 72 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 1 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Lesotho
7 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 3 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 290 MW under construction or planned.
How does Lesotho compare?
Lesotho next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | 100% | 100% | 0% | 21 | 0 | 0 | — | |
| South Africa | 13.6% | 17.8% | 82.2% | 699 | 3,749 | 243 | Compare | |
| Eswatini | 96.7% | 96.7% | 3.3% | 131 | 491 | 0.6 | Compare | |
| Botswana | 0.3% | 0.3% | 99.7% | 851 | 1,361 | 3.4 | Compare | |
| Zimbabwe | 57.1% | 57.1% | 42.9% | 384 | 617 | 10.3 | Compare | |
| Mozambique | 83.4% | 83.4% | 16.6% | 129 | 571 | 19.8 | Compare | |
| Namibia | 97.6% | 97.6% | 2.4% | 49 | 541 | 1.6 | Compare | |
| Africa average | 24.7% | 25.5% | 74.5% | 544 | 635 | 962 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Lesotho
Lesotho energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Lesotho is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Lesotho?
How clean is the electricity in Lesotho?
How much electricity does Lesotho use per person?
Does Lesotho import electricity?
More countries in Africa
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2024. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.