South Africa Activity Report PDF
Excavation work on the Ingula scheme was completed in May 2013 with the breakthrough of the two 20m diameter Surge Chamber shafts.
While there was no other tunneling work being executed in South Africa during the year a number of feasibility studies and designs were active, including the EPC Contractor’s design for the Kabompo Gorge Hydroelectric project in Zambia, a feasibility study for the De Beer’s Pass Tunnel in Kwazulu-Natal, and a feasibility study for the Smithfield Water Transfer Tunnel in Kwazulu –Natal.
Work on Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has started with the Project Management Unit for the scheme having been appointed in late 2013. It is anticipated that the Project Management Unit will issue requests for Expressions of Interest for the various phases of the work in the course of 2014. The scheme includes a 38.2km long, 5.2m diameter water transfer tunnel.
Fig’s: Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme Powerhouse and Surge Chamber Excavation