Silence Charumbira
RENEWABLE energy is the biggest opportunity that Lesotho could get from the just ended Metsi ke Bophelo Water and Hydrogen Conference and Expo, the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Lesotho, Harry MacDonald, has said.
And the UK could offer financing to Lesotho and expertise from its own green growth experience to help the tiny mountain kingdom stimulate its own hydrogen economy.
The two-day event in Maseru ended on Friday, with participants and officials alike saying they were hopeful about Lesotho benefiting from water beneficiation.
And speaking on the sidelines of the second and last day of the event on Friday, High Commissioner MacDonald said while his country intended to learn more from the conference, there was potential to “offer expertise from our own green growth experience where in the UK the value of the green economy is four times larger than the manufacturing sector”.
“We could also offer financing and business links if these would be welcomed by Lesotho,” High Commissioner MacDonald said.
He said Lesotho stood to gain immensely from the conference “if things were done right”.
“We could also offer financing and business links if these would be welcomed by Lesotho,” High Commissioner MacDonald said.
“Green growth through renewable energy is the biggest potential opportunity for Lesotho. Hydro, solar, pump storage, and potentially hydrogen are all possible sources of development for the country.
“It has to be managed correctly so that the most affected communities benefit. The conference is a start to conversations about how Lesotho could benefit from green growth. It is not a place for formal agreements or deals to be made. It is a start to dialogue that should include the private sector and community groups,” High Commissioner MacDonald said.
It was vital to ensure that all citizens are on board therefore, “government will have a crucial role to make sure the right frameworks are in place”.
The government also has a role to inspire Basotho to take leadership roles in Lesotho’s green growth so that benefits for Basotho are practical and visible.
“The choice appears to be Green Growth or No Growth. How that growth takes place is an important discussion to continue.”