The Lesotho Highlands Water Project has identified three potential sites for hydropower production although concrete decision on the matter is still pending.
In a report released on December 22, 2020, Lesotho Highlands Development Authority indicated that two of the sites on Senqu River and the other one at Oxbow on the Malibamatšo River.
Meanwhile, LHDA shows that 2020 has been a tough year as COVID-19 delayed implementation progress and impacted LHWP timelines, as was expected. Teams (LHDA, consultants and contractors) have had to come up with innovative mitigation measures to ensure that implementation moves ahead – adapting to the ‘new normal’ as best as can be done.
Construction activity resumed under stringent COVID-19 safety protocols, which are intended to protect the project workers and communities in the project area after the partial relaxation of the national restrictions in May.
Excavation at the intake and the outlet portals of the Polihali diversion tunnels, which started in June was completed in August. The tunnelling works inside the two Polihali diversion tunnels is progressing well with excavations advancing from the outlets at about six metres a day per tunnel. Cumulative progress in both tunnels is in the order of 800m out of a total of 1810m.
