PROJECTS: LHWP OVERVIEW

Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP)

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project was instituted as a bi-national project spanning the borders of South Africa and Lesotho in accordance with a treaty signed in 1986. This almost miraculous engineering feat diverts water from the Senqu River System in Lesotho to South Africa's economic hub, the water-stressed Gauteng region.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a multipurpose undertaking that transfers water and generates hydropower at the Muela Power Station. The water en route to South Africa is put to good use, powering an underground hydroelectric power station that generates electricity to meet the needs of Lesotho. Before the station was built, Lesotho depended entirely on South Africa for its electricity requirements.

Project Profile

The LHWP's primary infrastructure for Phases 1A and 1B encompasses building of three dams, ie, the Katse, Mohale and Muela; an intake tower ; transfer tunnel; deliver y tunnel; and a hydropower station.

TCTA is now fully accountable for the debt management and funding of the water transfer portion of the project as well as the operation and maintenance of the Delivery Tunnel North.

Future Phases

The South African Government has approved the second phase of the project. The Phase 2 project entails the construction of the Polihali Dam; a transfer tunnel from Polihali Dam to the Muela hydropower complex; expansions to t he existing Muela hydropower complex; as well as advancing the infrastructure, environmental and social development programs in Lesotho. Phase 2 water delivery is expected to come on line In accordance with the treaty between South Africa and from January 2020.

Construction of this dam and related infrastructure will guarantee the desired level of water availability in Gauteng and the Vaal River water supply region.