Vodacom Lesotho Retains ISO Certification for Energy Management

???????????? (????/????/????????) – Vodacom Lesotho has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental stewardship, retaining the ISO 50001 energy management certification for 2025. This achievement follows a stringent audit by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) earlier this month, highlighting the company's proactive approach to resource optimisation and substantial contribution to a more sustainable Lesotho.

"Maintaining our ISO 50001 certification isn't just a tick box exercise; it's a powerful testimony to our ‘Protecting the Planet’ promise. It’s central to the Vodacom Group's strategy, translating into concrete actions, delivering real environmental and social gains for Basotho and the rest of the continent," says Mohale Ralebitso, Vodacom Lesotho’s Chief Executive Officer.

Among the several initiatives, a significant upgrade to Vodacom Park’s rooftop solar power generation system is noteworthy. The monthly output has increased from 2200 kWh to more than 10,000 kWh. This translates into an annual reduction of approximately 225 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to planting around 125 trees and representing a demonstrable contribution to mitigating Lesotho's carbon footprint.

Vodacom Lesotho has achieved a further 5% enhancement in energy efficiency at its Maseru and Berea data centres, complementing this with the installation of 33 smart energy metres across its access network. This enables real-time monitoring and management of energy consumption, enabling continuous optimisation. Further improvements include motion-activated lighting and gesture-controlled taps at Vodacom Park.

Additionally, a substantial transition to renewable energy sources is underway across Vodacom Lesotho’s network infrastructure. Currently, 105 of its 410 cell towers use solar power, mitigating reliance on the national grid and diesel-generated power. This not only significantly reduces the carbon footprint but also delivers considerable cost efficiency, particularly for cell towers situated in more remote locations.

Vodacom's commitment to environmental stewardship surpasses goes beyond simple energy efficiency. Since 2021, the company has been undertaking a significant reforestation programme, planting 20,000 trees in areas that include Menkhoaneng (Leribe), Thaba Bosiu and Ha Ntsi (Maseru) and Ha Raliemere (Mafeteng). This helps mitigate soil erosion and safeguard Lesotho's delicate ecosystem.

The company is pursuing a decarbonisation strategy predicated on ongoing investment in energy efficiency, proactive exploration of renewable energy options and a comprehensive waste reduction programme incorporating reuse, resale and recycling.

ISO 50001 certification provides a structured framework for improving energy performance by optimising efficiency, utilisation and consumption. This involves developing energy policies, setting targets and using data-driven decision-making to improve energy management. The result is reduced energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation.