The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG) is planning the implementation of Bawanoor dam at Karmian region at an estimated cost of USD 170 million, an official source at the ministry of agriculture and water resources at the KRG told Zawya.
"Kurdistan is currently seeking to execute a number of dam projects, among which are the Bawanoor dam in the Garmian, Gomaspan and Pastora in Erbil governorates. The total cost of these intended projects is estimated at USD 330 million," said Akram Ahmed Rasul, general director of dams and water reservoirs at the ministry of agriculture and water resources of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
Rasul explains that one of the most significant and strategic dams that the ministry is seeking to construct is the Bawanoor dam in the Garmian region, governorate of Sulaimaniya. The project has been referred to the ministry, with approval for execution is expected to be granted by the end of April 2013. The project will subsequently be offered for bidding during the coming two months.
Bawanoor dam will be located on the south of Darbandikhan dam with 21 meters height and 300 million cubic meters capacity. This dam will be able to generate 50MW of electricity.
"Dam construction is certainly considered a strategic endeavor for the economy; due to its manifold benefits in eradicating flooding hazards, reserving water, utilizing available water for irrigating agricultural land during summer months and for power generation. This is especially significant as Kurdistan region - and Iraq in general - have been suffering from power shortages for the last 20 years," Said Yasin Rasul, economics professor, specialist in feasibility studies and project evaluation and head of the management and economics faculty at Salahuddin University in Erbil.
Rasul also emphasized the role played by dams in avoiding droughts, where Iraq is currently suffering low water levels due to the dams constructed in neighboring Turkey.
© Zawya 2013
