Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II: An update

Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (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.

Procurement

• 48 contracts have been awarded

• The most recently awarded contract is for professional services for the feeder roads master plan – Zutari Lesotho

• Tender for construction of the Polihali Transfer Tunnel is out (deadline 30 August 2021)

• Tenders for the construction of Khubelu Bridge and Mabunyaneng Bridge to be issued in September

• Polihali Dam construction tender has been issued

As concerns construction on the LHWP Phase II, underground tunnelling on the two Polihali diversion tunnels has reached a major milestone, with cumulative excavation progress in both tunnels approximately 90% complete. The breakthrough on the diversion tunnels is scheduled for August 2021.

The Polihali and Katse civil works are nearing completion. The potable water and sewer reticulation infrastructure to permanent and temporary residential areas has been completed, while the water treatment facilities are nearly complete.

Access roads have been completed, with paving and road markings ongoing. Completed in June 2020, the 33 kV line will give temporary power supply to the Polihali village and is due to be energised. Construction of the 132 kV line from Matsoku to Polihali has advanced, with the completion of access roads and the erection of all 92 towers. Stringing is in progress.

Insulation and optical ground wire upgrades on the existing lines are under way. The construction of foundations, brickwork and transformer tests are advancing at the Polihali substation, while upgrade works are in progress at other substations.

Completed works on the Polihali Western Access Road (PWAR) and Northern Access Road include the establishment of site camps and batch plants. Earthworks and the construction of foundations for the Matsoku and Semenanyana bridges and piers on the Makhoaba Bridge along the PWAR are ongoing.

Hydropower component

Feasibility studies for the hydropower component of Phase II completed in 2019 concluded that conventional hydropower is the more feasible option to meet Lesotho’s energy needs. Three potential sites were identified: two on the Senqu River and a third site at Oxbow on the Malibamat’so River. The hydropower component is expected to progress during 2021, where the Government of Lesotho will decide on an option. It is hoped that the design of the preferred option will commence in 2021, with construction commencing in 2024 and that commissioning taking place at the same time as the water transfer component in 2027.

Social and environmental programmes

An environmental and social management programme is being implemented to address potential environmental and social impacts associated with Phase II activities. This will be implemented in consultation with affected communities and community engagement activities will continue in line with adjusted Covid-19 regulations.

With resettlement planning, consultations on replacement housing designs have been completed with households to be relocated from the reservoir area, the Polihali village area, and other project sites such as the access roads and site establishment area.

Public gatherings have been held to encourage communities to take advantage of the opportunities created by the implementation of Phase II, in mitigation against the potential negative effects of the LHWP.

The consultant appointed to prepare the Phase II Social Development Master Plan continues to engage communities and other stakeholder groups as part of the process to assist affected communities across the entire Phase II landscape to identify priority areas for social development initiatives.

Environment

Integrated catchment management and rangeland rehabilitation programmes are under implementation to protect, conserve and restore wetlands, conserve and promote the sustainable use of rangeland resources, and prevent and control soil erosion. The programme – implemented in close collaboration with communities and rangeland associations at the LHWP areas – also promotes stakeholder participation and alternative livelihoods.

There is also a cultural heritage programme to preserve the culture of the affected communities. Archaeological excavations for preserving and recording tangible cultural aspects are ongoing, with 21 of 27 Stone Age sites fully mitigated. A recording of 13 rock art sites in the LHWP area was completed in 2019.

A shed housing the water treatment plant

Employment

The registration of unskilled job seekers continues. The Project Labour Recruitment Desk has placed 1 297 people (from villages within a 5 km radius of the advance infrastructure areas) with different contractors for unskilled positions. Currently, 1 938 skilled and semi-skilled personnel are engaged on Phase II construction contracts, with over 80% (1 557) being Lesotho nationals. At the peak of construction, Phase II is expected to create between 2 000 and 3 000 unskilled job opportunities.

Skills development

The LHDA Young Professionals programme has recruited 33 young professionals that will be placed within 12 different consultancy contracts: Polihali Dam, Polihali Transfer Tunnel, bridges, housing and access roads, as well as with the resettlement and cultural heritage consultants.

Aimed at equipping young professionals with on-the-job practical skills that increase their competitiveness in the job market, the programme is open to Lesotho and South African nationals that are newly qualified professionals under 35 years of age. It requires diploma and degree holders in the fields of civil and structural engineering, electrical engineering, geotechnical engineering, surveying, quantity surveying, engineering, architecture, archaeology, environmental sciences, social and natural sciences, and public health.

The LHDA is also partnering with the Lesotho Ministry of Education and Training to formulate and implement a skills development programme for communities in the LHWP Area. This skills development programme will provide skills accreditation and certification to people who have the technical skills but have not been certified, as well as vocational skills training.