Afghan government officially inaugurated the Paranda hydropower dam in Panjshir province during a ceremony on Thursday.

The $7.6 million project, with a generation capacity of 4 megawatts, represents a key infrastructure achievement for the administration.

The inauguration was attended by senior officials, including Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, who underscored the government's broader strategic goals. "The Islamic Emirate is working toward making Afghanistan self-sufficient in the energy sector, just as it aims for self-reliance in agriculture and industry," Baradar stated.

He expressed ambitious future plans, adding, "God willing, in the coming years, we will see a time when Afghanistan will not only no longer need to import energy but will be able to export its surplus electricity to other countries."

The completion of the dam marks the end of a protracted 12-year construction period. The project had faced numerous suspensions and delays under previous governments. Following the change in government, work resumed with Ukrainian contractors, who utilized advanced equipment from the Czech Republic to finalize the facility.

The newly operational dam is a substantial engineering feat for the region. Its pipeline stretches 2,200 meters in length with a diameter of 1.2 meters, feeding two turbines, each capable of generating 2 megawatts of electricity. Built over the Paranda Valley River in the center of the province, it is the first and largest government-owned hydropower dam in Panjshir.

For local residents and officials, the project addresses a critical need. The lack of reliable electricity has long been a major challenge for the province, hindering economic development and daily life.

Mohammad Agha Hakim, Governor of Panjshir, hailed the project, calling the government "a responsible, committed, and sincere government to its people and its country."

The Paranda dam is not an isolated project. Abdul Bari Omari, CEO of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the national power utility, indicated that it is part of a larger national push for energy infrastructure. "In the near future, God willing, we will witness the launch of six major power generation projects across various provinces," Omari announced, signaling a continued focus on expanding Afghanistan's domestic energy grid.

The successful activation of the Paranda hydropower dam is being presented by authorities as a tangible milestone in their quest for economic stability and reduced reliance on imported power. (ILKHA)