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

Location
Lesotho.

Project Owner/s
Implementing Authority
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA).

Oversight Authority
The Lesotho Highlands Water Commission has an oversight function, is the channel of the two governments’ input into the project, represents and advises them, as well as monitors the activities of the LHDA.

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 terms of 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 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 employed 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.

Other infrastructure
Other access and feeder roads will be built around the reservoir to connect affected communities using pedestrian and light-vehicle bridges, while a pair of major road bridges will be built over the Polihali reservoir, at Mapholaneng, crossing the Khubelu river, and near Mokhotlong, crossing the Senqu river.

Environmental measures
An environmental and social management programme is being implemented to address potential environmental and social impacts associated with Phase II activities.

The programme comprises baseline studies completed in 2013 and 2014, including studies pertaining to environmental flow requirements, and biological and archaeological (including heritage) aspects, as well as socioeconomic and public health studies. It also includes environmental- and social-impact assessments (ESIAs), and the implementation of the subsequent environmental and social management and action plans. These are in progress.

Social development programmes
These programmes, mitigation measures, resettlement requirements and baseline studies, as well as public relations and/or community engagement and awareness campaigns, will be implemented. The full extent of these measures is being studied and discussed.

The design of these programmes is being informed by the outcome of the baseline studies. The resultant sustainable development programmes to be designed and implemented will be agreed on with the affected communities.

Pumped storage scheme
The additional feasibility studies for the hydropower component of Phase II are nearing completion. A market study and commercial viability analysis for the Kobong pumped-storage scheme has concluded that conventional hydropower is the more feasible option to meet Lesotho’s energy needs. Reasons for this include the high cost of developing a pumped-storage scheme (estimated to be more than M20-billion) and other challenges related to the scheme’s long-term economic viability such as the nonavailability of a willing excess power offtaker, and the steep project development cost. As a result, the decision was taken to advance the studies for two sites on the Senqu river and one at Oxbow to bankability stage. These studies are expected to be completed by the end of second quarter of 2019.

Potential Job Creation
Based on what transpired during the implementation of Phase I of the project, more than 3 000 jobs are expected to be created at the height of the construction phase of the main works of Phase II.

Capital Expenditure
The estimated cost of the Phase II water transfer component at completion in 2025 is expected to be R24-billion as per the December 2017 long-term cost plan. 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 awarded the contract for the construction of the Polihali diversion tunnels to the SCLC Polihali Diversion Tunnel joint venture (JV), marking another significant step in the implementation of Phase 2 of the LHWP II.

The contractor is expected to be on site this month, with the works expected to be completed in about 18 months. The project cost is estimated at M517-million.

 “The diversion tunnels are essential to facilitate the construction of the Polihali dam. Their construction is an important element of the advance infrastructure works, which started towards the end of 2018 with the awarding of the contracts for the  Polihali North East access road and the civils work at Katse and Mokhotlong,” says LHDA divisional manager for the LHWP II Tente Tente.

He points out that the advance infrastructure will largely be completed before the construction of the Polihali dam, and the Polihali to Katse water-transfer tunnel starts.

In the case of the Polihali dam, two diversion tunnels will be built to divert water from the Senqu river. In building two tunnels, its capacity to carry floods will increase and will provide flexibility to work in one tunnel while the river flows in the other one.

The tunnels – one that is 7 m in diameter and almost 1 km in length, and another that is 9 m in diameter and almost 1 km long – run parallel to each other from the intake point to the outlet downstream of the dam.

The tunnels will be excavated by drill-and-blast method and will be supported by rockbolts and shotcrete, as required.

The Metsi a Senqu-Khubelu Consultants JV designed the diversion tunnels and will also supervise the construction work.

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

Contract 3004: Professional services for the planning, design and construction supervision of the Polihali western access road (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.

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 AECOM SA (South Africa ) with subconsultants AECOM Lesotho and RWB 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 Matla a Metsi Joint Venture. Partners are Mott MacDonald Africa (South Africa ), GIBB (South Africa ), Tractebel Engineering SA Coyne et Bellier (France) and LYMA Consulting Engineers (Lesotho).

Contract 3008: Professional services for the bulk power supply and telecommunications.
The contract was awarded in August 2016 to Plantech-SM JV. The procurement of the contractors for the construction and relocation of power lines 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 evaluation of the tenders for the construction of the infrastructure civil works (this includes roads, water and wastewater systems, electricity and telecoms supply) is nearing completion. It will be followed by the advertising of the tender for the construction of houses, the lodge and operation centre.

Contract 3010: Professional Services for the Phase II hydropower feasibility (further studies).
The contract was awarded in March 2017 to  MWH UK.

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 (South Africa ).

Contract 3014: Professional services for the design and construction supervision of the Polihali north-east access road has been awarded to the Sinohydro/Nthane Brothers JV.

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.

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.
The contract was awarded in April 2019 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 33kV line from Tlokoeng to Polihali and relocation of the 33kV line along the A1. 

The contract was awarded in March 2019 to  LSP Construction (Pty) Ltd (Lesotho). 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 will take place in two stages. The first was completed in early 2017 and the second is under way, following the appointment of the dam engineer in late June 2017.

Contract 4012: Construction of the Polihali North East Access Road. The contract was awarded in 24 October 2018 to the Sinohydro SA (South Africa) /Nthane Brothers (Lesotho) Joint Venture.Contract 4023: Design, supply and installation of temporary offices and accommodation units.
The contract was awarded in August 2018 to the Senqu-Hi-way Joint Venture. The JV Partners are Senqu Construction Services (Pty) Ltd (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 November 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 Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa (South Africa). The  subconsultants comprise Sechaba Consultants (Lesotho), AVISENSE Consulting (South Africa), Morija Museum and Archives (Lesotho), Hugo Pinto Archaeological Services (South Africa ), Geocline Consulting (South Africa ), Visual Resources Management (South Africa ) and Wetland Consulting Services (South Africa).

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

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 6032: Safety, health, environment and quality auditors for the advance infrastructure of Phase 2.
The contract was awarded to GA Environment in November 2018.

Contract 9004: Professional services for services relating to principal controlled insurance. The contract was awarded to Aon Lesotho in November 2017.

The registration of the assets of the households affected by the advanced infrastructure is under way.

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

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

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