The second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is on track. After receiving 15 billion South African rand (US$1.09 billion) in funding a few days ago, the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has launched a call for expressions of interest for the construction of a 38 km tunnel.
This structure will divert part of the water from the future 2, 325 million m3 Polihali dam to the Katse reservoir in South Africa. The future tunnel will have a diameter of 5 m, excavated and lined in segments. Companies interested in this tender have until August 31st, 2021 to apply.
A component of the second phase of the LHWP project
According to the LHDA, a site visit to the works is scheduled for 15-16 June 2021. “The visit is far from mandatory, but companies are encouraged to visit before submitting their bids,” stresses the government agency, which is also the implementing agency for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).
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The company selected by the LHDA after the tender will join SCLC Polihali Diversion Tunnel Joint Venture in the LHWP project. In its second phase, two diversion tunnels will be constructed on the Seqhu and Khubelu rivers by a consortium of Italian companies Salini Impregilo and Cooperativa Muratori Cementistri CMC di Ravenna, as well as South Africa’s CMI Infrastructure and Lesotho’s LSP Construction. The tunnels will be essential for the construction of the Polihali Dam on the Seqhu and Khubelu Rivers in Lesotho.
For more information on the terms of the LHDA tender, click here.
Inès Magoum