Approved project | PIDA PAP 2

Approved project

Noordoewer-Vioolsdrift Dam

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Basic Information

Project Title	Noordoewer-Vioolsdrift Dam
PIDA Sector	Trans-boundary Water
PIDA Sub-sector	Water Transfer/Dam (Other)
Member States	Namibia, South Africa
Region	Southern Africa
Beneficiary Countries	Namibia, South Africa
Regional Economic Community	Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
Project Institution	Permanent Water Commission (PWC) - Namibia and South Africa

Strategic Alignment and Regional Commitment

Source in the National Master Plan	Namibia -National Development Plan (NDP)5 (www.npc.gov.na ), South Africa-Department of Water and Sanitation Annual Perfomance Plan (DWS APP) 2019-22 (www.dwa.gov.za/documents/AnnualReports)
Source in the REC Master Plan	ORASECOM IWRM Plan, Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan
Brief Description of the Project	Orange River System (ORS) is one of the most highly developed River Systems in Southern Africa. In September 2015, Namibia and South Africa, under the auspices of the PWC, commissioned the Noordoewer / Vioolsdrift Dam (NVD) Feasibility Study, which aimed at identifying and optimising the best development dam size(s), site(s) and sequence of dam developments in the ORS needed to achieve the overall catchment objectives, to re-regulate the flows for ecological needs and to increase the yield in the Orange River System for use by both RSA and Namibia. The study was completed in May 2020. The study investigated many possible options and in 2016 initially concluded that the optimal NVD would have a wall height of about 73 m, with a storage capacity of 2,800 million m3 and would be of concrete faced rock fill type (CFRD). Certain limited further feasibility studies are required before the project can proceed to implementation. Such studies would include at least an independent review of the above findings, the finalisation of the exact parameters for the recommended optimal NVD in terms of size, site and type, and obtaining environmental authorisation for implementation. The development of the NVD project will involve the following further stages: • Further feasibility studies • Detailed designs, procurement and construction
Objective and Rationale for the Project	The purpose of the Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift Dam (NVD) would be to: i) increase the long-term sustainable yield of the Orange River System to replace the loss in yield due to the planned commissioning of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 (LHWP-2) and associated transfers to the Vaal River System; ii) provide for the projected growth in water requirements in the Orange River System, specifically future large-scale irrigation developments in Namibia in the Lower Orange River System, both upstream and downstream of the proposed NVD site; iii) compensate for the impact of the implementation of the Reserve on the yield of the Orange River System; and iv) provide a re-regulation storage on the Lower Orange River to allow for releases to be made to correct the seasonal distribution of flows in accordance with the riverine Ecological Water Requirements (EWRs) in the Lower Orange River.
Location/Site	The site of the proposed Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift Dam (NVD), to be constructed on the Lower Orange River, is located near the Vioolsdrift (South Africa) and Noordoewer (Namibia) border posts, with approximate coordinates as follows: 28°45’44.96’’S, 17°41’12.00’’E.
Image/Map Files	Namibia-NVD.jpg
Existing or Planned Projects along the proposed project	The project serves a planned infrastructure asset of another sector, but there is less than 50% overlap in the geography serviced by the proposed project and the other sector planned asset.
Please provide more details for your choice above	This planned project is part of the entire Orange River System (ORS) and is supported from the existing regulation infrastructure/dams upstream in Lesotho and South Africa.
Technical Specifications of the Project	The initially proposed NVD was sized as a concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD), with parameters as set out below, consisting of a side spillway, outlet works, hydroelectric plant, river flow gauging weir, etc. Parameter Description: Full Supply Level (FSL)-230 masl; Freeboard-12.5 m; Non-Overspill Crest (NOC)-242.5 masl; Lowest River Bed Level-162 masl; Dam Height up to NOC Level-80.5 m; Crest Length-1 km; Crest Width-10 m; and Embankment Slopes- 1V:1.4H. However, the exact dam parameters will be confirmed on completion of the further studies referred to above.
Market Size	About 1.2 million people are within the project sphere of influence. The comparative advantage of agriculture in the area and high levels of unemployment best exhibits the NVD’s potential contribution to development in the region. The proposed NVD can potentially stimulate specific sectors that have some resonance in the particular environments of the area, specifically agriculture and tourism. Through targeted support measures that look to address the evident weaknesses in the local economic system, the project can have a remarkable developmental impact.
Project Financial (in USD)	501 million (Further feasibility studies-approximately $1 million; and Detailed design, procurement and construction-Approximately $500 million)
Gender Procurement actions	Application of national policy and legal framework, ORASECOM and SADC framework on gender
Last Milestone Known	S2B - Feasibility

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