The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has awarded construction contracts for the Polihali Dam and Polihali Transfer Tunnel – the two biggest Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II contracts to date.
The approximately M 7.68 billion Polihali Dam contract was awarded to the SUN Joint Venture, comprising main partners: Sinohydro Bureau 8 (China); Sinohydro Bureau 14 (China); Unik Civil Engineering (South Africa) and Nthane Brothers (Lesotho). Subcontractors include Melki Civils and Plant Hire (South Africa); MECSA Construction (South Africa); SIGMA Construction (Lesotho) and Kunming Engineering (China). Construction will be supervised by the Matla a Metsi Joint Venture, comprising GIBB (South Africa); MPAMOT Africa (South Africa); Tractebel Engineering SA/Coyne et Bellier (France) and LYMA Consulting Engineers (Lesotho).
The approximately M9.2 billion Polihali Transfer Tunnel contract was awarded to the Kopana Ke Matla joint venture, which includes Yellow River Company (China); Sinohydro Bureau 3 (China); Unik Civil Engineering (South Africa) as the main joint venture partners. Subcontractors include Nthane Brothers of Lesotho, Esor Construction and Mecsa Construction of South Africa.
These milestone awards mark the start of the final lap of the water transfer infrastructure construction. Work on the multibillion Maloti contracts commences in November and December respectively, and commissioning is expected in 2028.
“This is an exciting moment for the Project and the LHDA. With our experience in successfully delivering large and complex infrastructure projects, we are confident that we will deliver quality engineering showpieces even as we carefully manage impacts on people and the environment,” confirmed Tente Tente, Chief Executive, LHDA. “Both joint ventures include Lesotho, South African and international companies in keeping with Article 10 of the Phase II Agreement.”
“Training young professionals and LHDA staff for the purposes of operating and maintaining the dam and tunnel is part of the skills and technology transfer element of the projects,” added Ntsoli Maiketso, Phase II Divisional Manager, LHDA.
Phase II adds 2325 million cubic metres in storage capacity to the LHWP and will increase the current annual supply rate capacity from 780 million cubic metres to 1270, contributing towards meeting South Africa’s increasing water needs. The additional flow of water from Polihali will simultaneously increase power generation within Lesotho towards meeting Lesotho’s domestic needs and reducing the country’s dependence on electricity imports.
The Polihali Dam is a concrete-faced rockfill dam, like the Mohale Dam which was constructed in Phase I of the LHWP. It will create a reservoir on the Senqu and Khubelu rivers with a surface area of 5053 hectares. The infrastructure also includes a spillway, a compensation outlet structure and a mini-hydropower station.
The Polihali Transfer Tunnel will transfer water by gravity from the Polihali reservoir to the Katse reservoir, the centrepiece of the LHWP. From Katse, water is transferred via the delivery tunnel to the ‘Muela Hydropower Station constructed in Phase I, and then on to the Ash River outfall outside Clarence in the Free State on its way to Gauteng.
The Polihali Transfer Tunnel works also include the intake works and gate shaft at the Polihali reservoir; outlet works and gate shaft at the existing Katse reservoir, with underwater connection to the lake; access adits to the waterway and associated construction infrastructure.
The envisaged transfer tunnel will be approximately 38km long with a nominal bore of five metres. Both tunnel boring and drill and blast methods will be used to excavate the tunnel.
Procurement for the design and construction supervision of the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme, also critical to Phase II, has recently started with March 2023 as deadline for the submission of bids for engineering, environmental and social consultants.
Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project builds on the successful completion of Phase I in 2003.
