Objective. The objective of this USAID-funded project was to provide auxiliary infrastructure and supporting services for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Kajaki Hydro Power Plant and the provision of new downstream power transmission lines to cities and towns within southern Afghanistan. This upgraded and new system serves nearly 1.7 million residents in Helmand and Kandahar provinces. Other smaller improvements to the outlet gates and valves have also been carried out.

Background. Built with US government funding in 1953, Kajakai dam was intended to impound water for downstream irrigation in the Helmand River Valley. In the mid-1970s, a USAID-funded hydro power plant with two 16.5-megawatt (MW) generating units was installed at the foot of the dam. The two turbine-generators, called Units 1 and 3, had space between them for a planned third generator, Unit 2. Over the years the two units had seriously deteriorated.

In December 2003, when USAID contracted The Louis Berger Group to perform the rehabilitation of the powerhouse, only Unit 1 was in operation, and its output had been reduced to just 3 MW. In August 2004, Voight-Siemens, a major supplier of hydroelectric equipment, was hired to rehabilitate Unit 1, and the following January, CMIC, a Chinese manufacturer of power equipment, was contracted to repair Unit 3 and install the new Unit 2.

In July 2006, insurgent attacks forced withdrawal of personnel from Kajakai, but British forces soon established a safe zone around the dam and powerhouse. In September 2008, British forces conducted a convoy to Kajakai, transporting the Unit 2 generator, four transformers, and other essential materials and supplies. All Unit 2 material is now at Kajakai Dam.

Status. This task order contract ended on October 31, 2009. The Unit 3 turbine is rebuilt and Unit 3 generator is repaired and rebuilt. The project staff commissioned Unit 3 during the last week of September. Camp expansion of 40 units to house 80 workers is complete. The Durai Junction camp has been demobilized. Although this task order contract has ended, the Security and Camp Support work continues under a separate task order.

Anticipated Impact. The combined Kajakai hydro power plant rehabilitation and the new power transmission system are of vital importance to the region. The only alternative source of electric power is high-cost electricity from diesel units. The hydro power plant has a capacity of 51 MW which can now provide a secure and sustained renewable energy supply to this region.

Map: Kajaki Dam

News

Kajakai Dam Powerhouse Boosts Power to 33 MW, Benefitting Thousands in SW Afghanistan

Mammoth Machine Parts Return to Kajakai

New 9MW Diesel Power Plant for Kandahar

"Deep in Taliban Territory, A Push for Electricity," by Carlotta Gall for The New York Times

"Convoy Delivers USAID Turbine to Kajaki Dam", from the October issue of the USAID publication Frontlines

Audacious Convoy Reaches Kajakai with Critical Equipment

Upgrades Increase the Power Capacity at the Kajaki Dam

"Afghanistan, A War That's Still Not Won", by Aryn Baker/Kajaki Olya for Time Magazine

"Restoring an Afghan Dam in a Taliban Stronghold", by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson for National Public Radio (NPR)

Unit No. 3 Isolation Completed and Rehabilitation Started at the Kajaki Dam

IRP Transports Equipment to Kajaki Dam