Name of the Project
Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) – Phase II.

Location
Lesotho.

Project Owner/s
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), is the implementing authority, and the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission the oversight authority.

Project Description
Phase II of the LHWP builds on the 2003 completion of Phase I, which supplies water to Gauteng and uses the water delivery system to generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho.

Phase II will increase the current supply rate of 780-million cubic metres a year incrementally to more than 1.27-billion cubic metres a year.

Phase II of the LHWP will be implemented in two distinct components: a water delivery system to augment the delivery of water to South Africa and a hydropower generation system, which will increase the current electricity generation capacity in Lesotho.

Polihali dam
The Polihali dam will be constructed as a concrete-faced rockfill embankment, with a side-channel spillway about 164 m high.

The crest length will be about 915 m, with a full supply level of 2 075 m above sea level. A 50-m-high saddle dam will also be built.

Polihali to Katse tunnel
The estimated 38-km-long, nominal bore 5-m-diameter Polihali–Katse dam tunnel will be constructed to transfer water from the Polihali reservoir to the Katse reservoir.

Water will be abstracted from the Polihali reservoir through two separate concrete bell-mouth intakes on the western side of the Polihali reservoir, in the Khubelu river, 3 km upstream of the confluence with the Senqu river.

Advance infrastructure
Phase II will require extensive infrastructure development before the mobilisation of contractors for the two main water-transfer works contracts of the Polihali dam and transfer tunnel. Where possible, the existing infrastructure constructed in Phase I will be used, including access roads, power supply, telecommunication systems and camps. Significant additional works contracts will be awarded for the construction of all-weather access roads, a bulk power supply network, telecommunications systems and project housing, as well as labour camps on both ends of the transfer tunnel.

A permanent housing development will soon be established near the Polihali dam and transfer tunnel, which will consist of project offices, and residential and community facilities.

The Polihali intake site will use the infrastructure developed to construct the Polihali dam and transfer tunnel. This includes feeder roads and bridges around the reservoir to connect affected communities, power supply systems, construction camps and communications. The infrastructure at Katse dam and in the Matsoku valley will also be available for the Polihali–Katse tunnel construction. Existing accommodation facilities will be used to house consultants and construction management teams. Improvements to the water and sewage treatment plants, clinic and lodge will also be undertaken.

Pumped-storage scheme
The additional feasibility studies for the hydropower component of Phase II are nearing completion.

Potential Job Creation
An expected 3 000 jobs will be created at the height of the construction phase of the main works of Phase II.

Capital Expenditure
The Phase II water transfer component at completion in 2026 is expected to be R24-billion.

The cost of the hydropower component is yet to be established.

Planned Start/End Date
Water delivery commissioning and hydropower commissioning are expected in 2026.

Latest Developments
The LHDA has recently awarded the Northern Access Road (NAR) rehabilitation tender, the fourth Phase II road construction contract, to the HSP Joint Venture (JV).

The project is expected to be completed in just under two years. The contract is valued at R284-million.

The NAR, also known as the A8, provides access to the Katse dam basin between the Leribe and Katse villages. The section of the road to be rehabilitated starts at the Pitseng central business district and runs for about 98 km to Katse village.

The NAR will link to the Polihali western access road (PWAR) at Ha Seshote and will provide an alternative link to the Polihali dam basin.

The 54.3 km PWAR between Ha Seshote and the Polihali dam site joins the Polihali north eastern access road (PNEAR) at the dam site.

The overall objective of this project is to repair and resurface the proposed section of the NAR, implement safety upgrades and drainage works.

The works will include the replacement of road joints at the three river bridges, the repair of cracked sections with asphalt, repairs to side drains, the upgrade of Mafika Lisiu view site, other repair works and ancillary road safety improvements.

AECOM SA, working with AECOM Lesotho and RWB Consulting Engineers, designed the PWAR and the rehabilitation of NAR and will supervise construction of both roads.

The LHWP Phase II roads construction JVs combine civil engineering, construction and surfacing expert firms from Lesotho and South Africa.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
To date, several contracts have been awarded for various elements of the main and advance infrastructure works. These include:

Contract 3004: Professional services for the planning, design and construction supervision of the PWAR.
The LHDA awarded the contract to AECOM SA, together with Lesotho-based subconsultants AECOM Lesotho and RWB Consulting Engineers, in August 2016. The tenders for the construction of the PWAR were advertised in the second quarter of 2018.

The PWAR west and the PWAR east contracts have been awarded to the HSPY JV and Rumdel/AC JV respectively.

The PWAR west contractors include South Africa-based Hillary Construction, Polokwane Surfacing, Ya Rena Civils and Lesotho-based Structuretone Construction.

The PWAR east contractor Rumdel/AC JV comprises South Africa-based Rumdel Construction and Lesotho-based    A&C Holdings.

The Northern Access Road (NAR) rehabilitation tender has been awarded to the HSP JV, which comprises Hillary Construction and Polokwane Surfacing and Structuretone Construction.

Contract 3006: Professional services for the design and construction supervision of the Polihali dam and appurtenant works.
The contract was awarded in June 2017 to Matla a Metsi JV. Partners are Mott MacDonald Africa (South Africa), GIBB (South Africa ), Tractebel Engineering SA Coyne et Bellier (France) and LYMA Consulting Engineers (Lesotho).

Contract 3007: professional services for the design and construction supervision of the Polihali transfer tunnel.
The contract was awarded in December 2017 to the Metsi a Senqu Khubelu Consultants (MSKC) JV. Partners are Aurecon South Africa, Hatch Africa, Knight Piésold, SMEC South Africa and Lesotho-based FM Associates.

Contract 3008: Professional services for the bulk power supply and telecommunications.
The contract was awarded in August 2016 to Plantech-SM JV. The procurement for the construction of the bulk power supply is under way.

Contract 3009: Professional services for the planning, design and construction supervision of housing and associated infrastructure.
The contract was awarded in June 2015 to Polihali Infrastructure Consultants – a JV comprising South Africa-based engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald and Lesotho-based Khatleli Tomane Moteane. The tender for the construction of the infrastructure civil works (this includes roads, water and wastewater systems, electricity and telecoms supply) was awarded in October 2018.

Contract 3010: Professional Services for the Phase II hydropower feasibility (further studies).
The contract was awarded in March 2017 to EDF/GIBB/Multiconsult JV.

Contract 3013: A Lidar survey and aerial photography of the Mohale and Katse reservoir areas, powerline corridor and the Polihali Dam inundation area.
The contract was awarded in November 2017 to Southern Mapping Geospatial. The work has been completed.

Contract 3014: Professional services for the design and construction supervision of the Polihali north-east access road was awarded to SMEC-FMA JV, in April 2015.

Contract 3015: Professional services for the evaluation, optimisation and site supervision of geotechnical investigations.
The contract was awarded in May 2015 to consultant Jeffares & Green (now called JG Afrika) and Lesotho-based GWC Consulting Engineers. The contract has closed.

Contract 3017: Professional Services for the demarcation of the Polihali reservoir.
This entailed the construction of more than 1 300 beacons to mark the 230 km perimeter of the reservoir.

The contract was awarded in April 2015 to Lesotho-based consultancy Maleka, Ntshihlele, Putsoa JV.

The reservoir demarcation was completed in December 2015.

Contract 3020: Design and supervision of the construction of the major bridges to be built.
Aurecon Lesotho has been appointed to design and supervise the construction of the bridges. The project also includes the realignment of the A1 national road in the vicinity of the bridges. Lesotho-based White Life Consultants and Leporogo Specialist Engineers CC of South Africa are subconsultants.

Contract 3022: Professional services for the design and supervision of the Polihali diversion tunnels.
The contract was awarded in October 2016 to MSKC JV. The procurement of the contractors for the construction of the diversion tunnel started in the last quarter of 2017 and the tender closed in January 2018.

Contract 4022: The contract was awarded to SCLC Polihali Diversion Tunnel JV. The JV comprises the South African branches of Salini Impregilo, Cooperativa Muratori Cementistri CMC di Ravenna and CMI Infrastructure, as well as Lesotho-based LSP Construction.

Contract 4005B: Construction of 33 kV line from Tlokoeng to Polihali and relocation of the 33 kV line along the A1.

The contract was awarded in February 2019 to LSP Construction. Subcontractors: Dihlase Consulting Engineers (South Africa); Van den Ende & Associates Consulting Engineers CC (South Africa); NC Nelson Projects (South Africa); and Fibre Based Integrations (South Africa).

Contract 4016: Geotechnical investigation works for the Polihali dam and Polihali–Katse transfer tunnel.
The contract was awarded to geotechnical drilling company Diabor in November 2015. The investigations were completed in two stages. The first was completed in May 2017 and the second in May 2019.

Contract 4012: Construction of the Polihali North East Access Road. The contract was awarded in October 2018 to the Sinohydro SA (South Africa) /Nthane Brothers (Lesotho) JV.

Contract 4023: Design, supply and installation of temporary offices and accommodation units.
The contract was awarded in August 2018 to the Senqu-Hi-way JV. The JV partners are Senqu Construction Services (Lesotho), Hi-Way Parkhome and Container Services (South Africa). Subcontractor: Electromech Engineering Solutions.

Contract 4018A: Advance infrastructure construction at Polihali and Katse.
The contract was awarded to the WBHO and LSP Construction JV in 2018.

Contract 6004: Professional services for the ESIA for the Polihali western access corridor (PWAC).

The contract was awarded in October 2016 to a JV comprising Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Southern Africa and Lesotho-based Sechaba Consultants. In March 2018, the Lesotho Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture issued the LHDA with a Record of Decision comprising environmental authorisation for the proposed PWAC, following the completion of the PWAC ESIA and the associated environmental management plan, effectively granting environmental authorisation to proceed with the PWAC construction activities.

Contract 6006: Professional services for resettlement planning and implementation: Polihali western access corridor.
The contract was awarded in October 2016 to Makhetha Development Consultants. The subconsultants are Lesotho based Senqu Engineering and Development Consultants, Motheo Holdings, Survey and Digital Mapping, Advocate Thato Kao (Lesotho), Puisano HIV/AIDS Training & Support Services and South African Setplan.

Contract 6010: Professional services for the development of a Phase II safety, environment and quality management framework.
The contract was awarded in September 2016 to Rori Management Consultancy.

Contract 6014: Professional services for the ESIA for the Polihali reservoir and associated infrastructure.
The contract was awarded in August 2016 to a JV comprising ERM Southern Africa (South Africa) and Lesotho-based Sechaba Consultants (Lesotho).

Contract 6015: Professional services for the resettlement planning and implementation of the Polihali site establishment and reservoir area.
The contract was awarded to the LIMA Thaha JV in September 2016.

Contract 6023: Professional services for the safety, health, environment and quality management audits for Phase II advance infrastructure works.
The contract was awarded in October 2018 to GA Environment (South Africa).

Contract 6025: Professional services for the development and implementation of a cultural heritage plan. The contract was awarded to PGS Heritage in December 2017.

Contract 9004: Professional services for services relating to principal controlled insurance. The contract was awarded to Minet in November 2017.
The registration of the assets of the households affected by the advanced infrastructure is nearing completion. Compensation payments have been initiated for the priority site establishment areas.

The advance infrastructure will be largely completed before the start of the main works in 2020.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
LHDA public relations manager Masilo Phakoe, tel +266 62857272 or email phakoem@lhda.org.ls.