REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: SUPPLY, DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTS TO CGP HOUSEHOLDS IN THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY COUNCILS: TELLE AND TOSING (QUTHING), SENQUNYANE AND QHOASING (MOHALES HOEK), NTSUPE (QACHA’S NEK), MATSOKU AND MENKHOANENG
1. INTRODUCTION
Energy poverty remains a pressing challenge in Lesotho, particularly for ultra-poor households participating in the Child Grants Programme (CGP). Many of these households lack access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources, relying on inefficient and hazardous options such as firewood, kerosene, and candles. These traditional energy sources pose significant health and environmental risks, contribute to deforestation, and impose economic burdens on vulnerable families. Recognizing the urgency of addressing energy poverty, UNICEF Lesotho, in collaboration with the Government of Lesotho (GoL) and the European Union (EU), is intending to support beneficiaries of CGP households with under-five children with renewable energy supplies as part of the Cash Plus model under the Equitable Lesotho – Ntlafatsa Bana project.
This project is a collaboration between the European Union, UNICEF, and the Government of Lesotho. It aims to improve the government’s capacity to deliver social assistance programmes, including the Child Grants Programme (CGP), and enhance access to sustainable energy, water, nutrition, and birth registration services (Cash Plus model). The energy component seeks to integrate renewable energy solutions into social protection programs, aligning with Lesotho#s National Energy Policy (2015-2025), the National Social Protection Strategy II (NSPS II), and Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
Specifically, the energy component of the cash plus model aims to provide CGP households with clean energy supplies across the five targeted districts. Within the selected districts, the project will target the following Community Councils: Telle and Tosing (Quthing), Senqunyane and Qhoasing (Mohale’s Hoek), Ntsupe (Qacha’s Nek), Matsoku and Menkhoaneng (Leribe), and Bokong and Linakeng (Thaba-Tseka).
These were strategically chosen based on key factors such as energy poverty indicators, limited access to the national grid, and alignment with ongoing social protection programmes, ensuring that the interventions reach the most underserved communities and supports sustainable development. The planned provision of renewable energy supplies will follow a structured implementation plan, including procurement, distribution, installation, training, and post-installation monitoring. This approach ensures sustainability while equipping beneficiaries with the knowledge required for proper use and maintenance.
Closing date: 27 June 2025