LHDA kicks off Phase 1 maintenance media campaign

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has kicked off a media campaign to ensure that Basotho and key stakeholders are informed of the upcoming maintenance work for Phase I Water Transfer and Delivery Tunnels.

The planned shutdown scheduled from October 1, to March 31 2025, will temporarily halt water transfers from Katse to ‘Muela and hydroelectric power generation at the ‘Muela Hydropower Station.

According to the LHDA, during the maintenance period, there will also be no water deliveries from Lesotho to South Africa.

In a statement, the organisation noted the maintenance of Transfer Tunnel that is 45km from Katse to ‘Muela and the Delivery Tunnel, 37km from ‘Muela to the Ash River Outfall in South Africa is crucial to sustaining the key functions of the system of water delivery and the generation of electricity for Lesotho.

LHDA chief executive, Tente Tente, said inspections on the project from 2019 highlighted the urgency of the situation.

He assured stakeholders that the maintenance would ensure the continued safe operation of the tunnels for year to come.