Building Lesotho’s energy future through NUL’s MSc in Sustainable Energy and Energy Research Centre

At the National University of Lesotho (NUL), the flagship MSc in Sustainable Energy has steadily grown into one of the country’s most important platforms for building local capacity in the energy sector. Anchored by the Energy Research Centre (ERC) and led by Professor Moeketsi Mpholo and his team, the programme is producing skilled graduates and driving applied research that directly responds to Lesotho’s evolving energy landscape. Together, the MSc programme and the ERC are shaping a new generation of professionals, strengthening national energy planning, and positioning the university as a key contributor to sustainable energy development in the region.

As one of the TEA-LP’s original partners, NUL’s MSc in Sustainable Energy launched in the 2018/19 academic year and has now matured into a well-established and accredited multidisciplinary postgraduate programme. With over eight cohorts, the programme has graduated 59 students, many of whom are now working in government, academia, and non-governmental organisations across Lesotho and the wider region. This steady output of trained professionals reflects the programme’s growing relevance as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen renewable energy integration, and reduce reliance on imported electricity.

Leslie Ashburner, lead of the masters’ development work stream commented;

“Professor Moeketsi Mpholo is a truly valued partner who has been integral to the success of TEA-LP. Since 2019, he and his team at NUL have consistently demonstrated efficiency, responsiveness, and a strong collaborative spirit. Their passion for the development of Lesotho and the people of Lesotho is clear.

Moeketsi also led the design of the TEA-LP mini-grids course, encouraging shared ideas and a meaningful co-design process that resulted in an authentic, co-created curriculum. He combines professionalism with a great sense of humour, making our collaboration both productive and enjoyable.”

A key factor behind the programme’s success is its continuous evolution. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect global energy trends and local priorities, ensuring graduates are technically competent as well as analytically and entrepreneurially prepared for the workplace. Teaching methods have been modernised, with increased digitalisation through the THUTO learning management system and a more streamlined contact-hour structure that encourages independent research and critical thinking. The programme is also gradually incorporating futures studies, helping students develop forward-looking perspectives and the ability to anticipate and respond to emerging energy challenges.

Student feedback highlights the programme’s strong academic foundation and real-world relevance. Graduates describe it as “eye-opening,” “rigorous,” and “world class,” noting its balance of technical, policy, and planning components. Many emphasise how the programme expands their thinking and prepares them to engage with the rapidly changing energy landscape. This combination of academic depth and practical orientation has helped position the MSc as a nationally relevant capacity-building initiative that supports both individual career development and broader sector transformation.

The Energy Research Centre plays a central role in strengthening the MSc programme by providing research opportunities, facilities, and industry engagement. The recently developed state-of-the-art computer laboratory has improved access to high-performance computing and created a more conducive environment for advanced energy modelling and analysis. The ERC also works closely with industry and government stakeholders to identify relevant research topics each year, ensuring that student research directly addresses national energy challenges. By involving MSc students in consultancy and research projects and offering incentives for conference and journal publications, the Centre actively supports the development of young researchers and professionals.

Beyond teaching, the ERC is driving a dynamic research agenda that aligns closely with Lesotho’s energy priorities. Current research focuses on renewable energy resource assessments and system design, including wind farms, solar photovoltaic plants, mini-hydro systems, and grid integration studies. The Centre is also leading work on Lesotho’s e-mobility roadmap, national electricity demand forecasting, and integrated resource planning – all critical initiatives that support data-driven decision-making and long-term energy security. Additional research explores solar mini-grids, battery storage, green hydrogen, climate resilience for smallholder farmers, and renewable energy applications that address broader societal challenges.

Several of these projects are already showing strong potential for impact. The development of an e-mobility roadmap is supporting the transition to low-carbon transport, while national demand analysis and integrated resource planning are helping shape evidence-based energy policy. Rural electrification initiatives and solar-based prototypes, such as solar water purification systems, demonstrate how research at NUL is translating into practical solutions that improve energy access and community resilience.

Looking ahead, the ERC and the MSc in Sustainable Energy programme are focused on strengthening capacity building, expanding international partnerships, and improving research visibility. Key priorities include attracting more international students, increasing student and staff exchanges, enhancing industry linkages, and scaling structured internships and community-based energy solutions. By deepening collaboration with government, industry, and regional partners, NUL aims to further improve graduate employability and ensure that its research continues to inform policy and practice.

What is most exciting about the future, according to Professor Mpholo and his team, is the opportunity to train a new generation of engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs who can design context-specific, scalable solutions that directly expand energy access and drive sustainable economic development in the country.
Through its MSc in Sustainable Energy and the work of the Energy Research Centre, NUL is demonstrating the powerful role universities can play in driving the energy transition – becoming innovation hubs, policy partners, and engines of inclusive development across the region.