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LHDA appoints engineering panel for Phase 2 of the LHWP

8th February 2019

By: Natasha Odendaal

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has appointed an engineering panel of experts for the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP II).

The panel comprises experts in tunnelling, bridges, concrete-faced rockfill dams, hydromechanical and geotechnical engineering, grouting and construction from the UK, Europe, the US and Australia.

“The LHDA’s appointment of an external panel of experts to provide technical reviews of the major works of Phase II reflects its commitment to implementing Phase II to the highest quality and in accordance with internationally recognised standards to minimise the risk of engineering errors,” explains LHDA Phase II divisional manager Tente Tente.

The panel, finalised in December, was introduced to the full scope of the multiphased, multibillion-rand project and met with LHDA CEO Refiloe Tlali and the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission before embarking on a site visit to Polihali.

This followed the formal site handover to the Wilson-Bayly Holmes-Ovcon/LSP joint venture at the Polihali and Katse village for civils works, which included earthworks and the creation of platforms for buildings, water and wastewater systems, landfill, roads, drainage and electrical and telecommunications networks.

Environmental experts have been hired to review social and environmental activities so that the implementation of social, environmental and public health programmes is held to internationally recognised standards.

The LHWP II will build on the first phase, completed in 2003, which delivers water to Gauteng and uses the water delivery system to generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho.

The LHWP II will increase the current supply rate of 780-million cubic metres a year incrementally to more than 1 270-million cubic metres a year.

While the project is behind the timelines proposed in the feasibility report, following a two-year deferred start, the LHWP II is “stepping ahead purposefully” after a busy 2018 for both the water transfer and hydropower components, adds Tente.

“Advance infrastructure construction has started and is expected to be largely completed by 2020 before the dam and tunnel construction starts. In all, we are confident that 2019 will see the second phase taking great strides, with activities on the ground evident to all.”

Over 35 contracts are in force or nearing conclusion, including environmental-impact assessments, socioeconomic and resettlement projects, the hydropower feasibility and infrastructure projects encompassing access roads, project housing, power and telecommunications, geotechnical investigations, the Polihali diversion tunnel, major bridges and main works such as the Polihali dam and transfer tunnel.

The LHDA has issued prequalification notices for the construction of the Phase II main works, the 165-m-high Polihali dam and the 38-km-long Polihali transfer tunnel, as well as the construction of Polihali Village, which will comprise permanent housing, a visitor’s lodge, a recreational centre, a primary school, associated outbuildings and ancillary site work such as landscaping.

Meanwhile,

the further feasibility studies for the hydropower component of the LHWP II are nearing completion.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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