Maintenance Shutdown of Lesotho Highlands Water Project Tunnel Set to Begin

The South African and Lesotho governments are on the brink of commencing a highly anticipated six-month shutdown for the maintenance of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) tunnel. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and her counterpart from Lesotho, Minister Mohlomi Moleko, have recently expressed their confidence in the preparation for the closure, scheduled from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

The maintenance is fundamental, aimed at securing the long-term integrity of the infrastructure for the next 20-30 years. Despite the temporary disruption, specifically the halting of water transfer and power generation at the Muela Hydropower Station, the Ministers assert that measures are in place to ensure continuity.

The comprehensiveness of these measures is reassuring. Both Lesotho and South African authorities have strategized adequately to mitigate the effects on citizens' everyday lives by utilizing their Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS). The IVRS is expected to fulfil water requirements during the tunnel’s downtime, proven after a thorough government analysis to assess impact and ensure water security.

Speaking to the same, the water transfer from Lesotho had been frontloaded to cover most of the annual demand, with only an 80 million cubic meter shortfall expected. Lesotho is concurrently making provisions for additional electricity supply to counterbalance the cessation of power from the Muela Station.

Contractors are already on-site, reflecting both countries' readiness for the upkeep exercise where professional services have been through procurement. Moreover, they emphasize the importance of involving personnel from South Africa, Lesotho, and the SADC region, underlining a commitment to regional cooperation and equitable work opportunities.

Citizens have been urged by both Ministers to practice conservation measures in both water and energy usage during this scheduled maintenance period. Minister Majodina emphasizes the collective effort required by South Africans to minimize the interruption, while Minister Moleko similarly appeals to Lesotho citizens to manage their electricity consumption judiciously due to increased imports required during this time.

As the maintenance commences, this effective and cooperative approach promises minimal disruption and fosters a spirit of regional solidarity between South Africa and Lesotho.