BOARD of Directors of the African Development Bank, an outfit that is aimed at spurring sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries, thus contributing to poverty reduction has approved a loan to the tune of $86.72 million (about M1.29bilion) to co-finance the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).
business
Oct. 14, 2021
NEO SENOKO
2 min read
LHWP receives M1.29billion for Polihali project
Construction work underway at the Polihali Dam
Story highlights
Project to provide water to Gauteng & generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho.
Intervention first major project financed by the Bank in water sector in SA
The multi-phase project will provide water to the Gauteng region of South Africa and generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho.
The project entails harnessing the waters of the Senqu/Orange River in the Lesotho highlands by constructing a series of dams for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
“The two governments’ partnership on this project around shared water resources from the Orange-Senqu River Basin serves the interests of their mutual development agenda and also deepens regional integration,” said Dr Beth Dunford, the African Development Bank Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development.
The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, a state owned entity in South Africa charged with financing and implementing bulk raw water infrastructure projects, will use the funds to construct the Polihali Dam and reservoir, a 38-kilometre-long water transfer tunnel, roads and bridges, telecommunications infrastructure and to extend electricity and other development infrastructure to Lesotho.
The new construction will complement facilities built during the project’s first phase. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) will implement the part of the project that falls within Lesotho’s borders.
“The intervention will be the first major project to be financed by the Bank in the water sector in South Africa and will complement the Bank’s current support in the energy and transport sector, diversify the Bank’s portfolio and consolidate its strong partnership with the country,” Dr Dunford added.
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Once completed, the project is expected to boost transfer capacity between Lesotho and South Africa to 1 260 million cubic metres per year, up from the current 780 million cubic metres per year, as well as enable additional generation of hydroelectric power in Lesotho.
Expected project benefits include greater water security in South Africa’s Gauteng region and a boost to Lesotho’s socio economic development due to infrastructure improvement and increased hydropower capacity.
These developments are expected to positively impact 26 million people in South Africa and boost a region that accounts for 60 percent of the country’s economic output. In Lesotho, the project will benefit more than 85 000 people in the project area, and generate more than 6 000 jobs over the next six years. Lesotho’s economy will also receive a boost from the royalty payment it will receive for water transfers.
The project, with a total cost of $2.171 billion, is also receiving financing $213.68 million in loans from the Shanghai based New Development Bank. The South African government will contribute $1.871 billion as well as a loan guarantee. The first phase of the project was completed in 2003 and inaugurated in 2004.
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