Name of the Project
Mokolo-Crocodile Water Augmentation Project Phase 2A (MCWAP-2A).

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), an entity of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

Project Description
The MCWAP-2A aims to augment water supplies to the Lephalale municipality, State-owned power utility Eskom’s Matimba and Medupi power stations, and Exxaro’s Grootegeluk mine. It also aims to allow for future economic development in the area.

The project is also essential for Eskom to implement the flue gas desulphurisation system to reduce the emissions of the Medupi power station.

The MCWAP-2A’s main components include an abstraction weir, a pumpstation and a 160 km pipeline. The bulk raw-water infrastructure is being designed and sized to meet existing and future demand over a 20-year period.

Potential Job Creation
It is estimated that the project will employ at least 1 000 people during its implementation, with 50% of the engineers on the project expected to be from a previously disadvantaged background.

It will also offer learnerships and bursaries to mostly previously disadvantaged people from the local community.

Capital Expenditure
The project is estimated at R12.3-billion (as at April 2018).

Planned Start/End Date
MCWAP-2A is targeted for completion in May 2026.

Latest Developments
The MCWAP-2A project is in the final stages of the funding process.

The TCTA aims to conclude the funding process within the next three months as lenders undertake and conclude their due diligence processes.

It has already finalised the tender document for the construction phase of the project and has secured 50% of the land and servitudes required to enable construction.

In addition, work on the tender design and specifications for the River Management System has started, with plans to finalise it later this year.

The TCTA has also secured environmental authorisation from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. The environmental management plans have also been approved.

Approval has been secured for all the borrow pits permits, which will be required during the construction phase.

Meanwhile, TCTA is getting ready to start with the procurement processes and construction on the project.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
GBN Joint-Venture, comprising Gibb, Bigen Africa Services and Nyeleti Consulting (professional service provider responsible for the design and construction supervision of the project).

Contact Details for Project Information
TCTA, tel +27 12 683 1200 or email ​info@tcta.co.za.