The Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Project is a regional bulk-water and hydropower scheme linking Lesotho, South Africa and Botswana. It includes a multipurpose dam on the Makhaleng River and a water-conveyance system of about 700 km.
The project will construct a multipurpose dam on the Makhaleng River in Lesotho, associated hydropower facilities and a water-conveyance system of approximately 700 km through South Africa to Botswana. Current PIDA specifications indicate a 124-metre concrete arch dam, an estimated yield of 310 million cubic metres per year, about 30 MW of hydropower at the dam and additional generation along the conveyance route. The system is intended to supply domestic, agricultural and industrial users in all three participating countries.
Improve water security in Botswana, Lesotho and South African communities along the route; strengthen transboundary cooperation in the Orange-Senqu basin; generate hydropower and reduce Lesotho's dependence on imported electricity; increase resilience to drought and water shortages; support agriculture and economic growth; and create long-term employment and regional-development benefits.