Name of the Project
Mokolo-Crocodile Water Augmentation Project – Phase 2A (MCWAP-2A).

Location
Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), an entity of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

Project Description
Phase 1 of the MCWAP (MCWAP-1) comprises a scheme to convey water 43 km from the Mokolo dam to the Lephalale local municipality and surrounding areas, Eskom’s Matimba and Medupi power stations, and Exxaro’s Grootegeluk mine. 

The MCWAP-1 currently delivers about 40-million cubic metres a year to Eskom, including three of the six Medupi power plant flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) units, Exxaro, farmers in the Lephalale area and the Lephalale local municipality.

The expansion of the project, through MCWAP-2A, will comprise a water transfer scheme to augment the existing water supply in the project area by 75-million cubic metres a year from the Crocodile river, about 160 km away. 

The project includes the construction of the Vlieëpoort abstraction works on the Crocodile river (West), low- and high-lift pumping stations, desilting works, balancing storage facilities, a 160 km bulk raw water pipeline to the Steenbokpan and Lephalale areas, a river abstraction and flow monitoring system, as well as a management system, on the part of the Crocodile river downstream of the Hartbeespoort dam.

Potential Job Creation
It is estimated that the project will employ at least 1 000 people during its implementation, with 50% of the engineers on the project expected to be from a previously disadvantaged background.

It will also offer learnerships and bursaries to mostly previously disadvantaged people from the local community.

Capital Expenditure
R12.4-billion. Project funding has been secured. It is a blended finance project, with part of the funding from the fiscus, but most of the required funding has been raised by the TCTA in the financial markets.

Planned Start/End Date
MCWAP-1 was commissioned in June 2015.

MCWAP-2A is targeted for commissioning in 2029.

Latest Developments
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has stated during her Budget Vote that the construction contractor has been appointed and construction is planned to start in August 2025.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
GBN Joint-Venture, comprising Gibb, Bigen Africa Services and Nyeleti Consulting (professional service provider responsible for the design and construction supervision of the project).

Contact Details for Project Information
TCTA, tel +27 12 683 1200 or email info@tcta.co.za.