Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL3472
2009-10-29 13:18:00
SECRET
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

KAJAKI DAM: MORE ENERGY AWAITS ENHANCED SECURITY

Tags:  EAID EFIN ENRG KPWR PGOV AF 
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VZCZCXRO5619
PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHBUL #3472/01 3021318
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 291318Z OCT 09 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2662
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003472 

C O R R E C T E D COPY (PARA MARKINGS)

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USAID ASIA OFFICE AND S/SRAP STAFF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN ENRG KPWR PGOV AF
SUBJECT: KAJAKI DAM: MORE ENERGY AWAITS ENHANCED SECURITY

REF: 08 KABUL 2546

KABUL 00003472 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Deputy Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for Reasons 1.4 (b
) & (d)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003472

C O R R E C T E D COPY (PARA MARKINGS)

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USAID ASIA OFFICE AND S/SRAP STAFF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN ENRG KPWR PGOV AF
SUBJECT: KAJAKI DAM: MORE ENERGY AWAITS ENHANCED SECURITY

REF: 08 KABUL 2546

KABUL 00003472 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Deputy Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for Reasons 1.4 (b
) & (d)


1. (S/REL ISAF, AFG) SUMMARY: The Kajaki Power Dam project in
Northern Helmand -- a signature U.S. development program in
pre-war Afghanistan undergoing rehabilitation for several
years -- could generate sufficient electricity to benefit
330,000 residents of Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
Completing the project would advance U.S./ISAF
counterinsurgency strategy by creating jobs and providing
energy and water for agricultural development, thereby
winning locals to the side of the Afghan government.
Unfortunately, implementing the next phase -- a two-year,
$170 million project to install a third on-site turbine and
construct necessary transmission lines -- requires improved
security at the dam and in the area. Neither ISAF nor GIRoA
can commit to providing the required security until at least
2011, if then. Meanwhile, USAID's contract security for the
parts stored on site is costing $1 million per month.
Therefore, USAID will take immediate steps to mothball the
parts and entrust their protection to the GIRoA site manager.
Effectively, this means the abandonment of the last phase.
END SUMMARY.

ADDITIONAL ENERGY GENERATION ON HOLD
--------------

2. (SBU) Although USAID completed repair of one of the dam's
two operational turbines in October, lack of secure access to
the dam has delayed plans to install a third turbine and 18.5
MW generator and build a 110 KV transmission line to carry
low-cost power to an additional 120,000 people in the
troubled south. Increased electricity would stimulate
economic growth and create jobs in Helmand and Kandahar;
provide a return on a substantial U.S. investment; and likely
entice other donors to invest in much-needed development
projects such as building cold storage and value-added
agricultural processing facilities. All of these outcomes
would promote our counterinsurgency strategy by tangibly

demonstrating that the Government of Afghanistan -- rather
than the insurgents -- can deliver services, opportunities
and hope for a better life to its people.

COMPLEX OPERATION, LIMITED FORCES
--------------

3. (SBU) Insurgent strength and activity, however, are
significant obstacles. In September 2008, ISAF forces
ensured the safe delivery of the $20 million, 20-ton, 18.5 MW
turbine itself along the 180 km route from the Ring Road to
Kajaki (reftel) using close air support, ground troop
deployments and a road-clearance package to detect and defuse
IEDs. The turbine has been in storage since then, awaiting
appropriate security for delivery of the installation
materials and subsequent construction.


4. (S/REL ISAF, AFG) Installing the third turbine and building the
transmission lines requires transporting heavy equipment and
900 tons of cement and aggregate to the site via the
dangerous 87 km route from the Ring Road to Kajaki.
Insurgents are entrenched in the Kajaki area; although 107
British troops defend the dam itself the troops are too few
to provide security for the installation and transmission
lines construction stages of the project. Current ISAF
strategy in the province is focused on securing population
centers -- Marjah, Garmsir, Nawa and the approaches to
Kandahar City in the south -- rather than northern Helmand
where the dam and transmission lines are. Future ISAF plans
for the region are still under development.


5. (C/REL ISAF, AFG) USAID will continue to provide contracted
security for the technical advisors and turbine parts at the
site through the end of April 2010 at the latest, at a cost
of $1 million per month. Given that neither ISAF nor GIRoA
can commit to providing the needed security until 2011, if
then, and that USAID's contract security for the site costs
$1 million a month, USAID is taking steps to inventory the
turbine parts and store them until appropriate security is
available. USAID will continue with plans to upgrade
Kandahar city's electrical distribution system, which will
improve power services in the city even without additional
power from Kajaki. However, additional possible enhancements
affecting up to 640,000 Afghans -- such as raising the water
level in the Kajaki dam reservoir to increase irrigation and
generate more power; building a new power-house for an
additional 100MW of power; and constructing a new
transmission line from Kajaki to Kandahar -- would also have
to wait for improved security.


6. (S/REL ISAF, AFG) COMMENT: Moving ahead on this project

KABUL 00003472 002.2 OF 002


requires an improvement in security. There are clearly
significant benefits to be gained if this can be
accomplished. The U.S. and ISAF are pursuing a
counterinsurgency strategy focused on protecting the
population and demonstrating that the Afghan government can
and is delivering on its promises to improve the lives of its
citizens, and Afghans seek access to electricity and
employment opportunities above all other development goods or
projects. Installing the 18.5 MW turbine and constructing
the new transmission line would meet those needs by enabling
the government to increase the reliable supply of low-cost
electricity, provide more water for irrigation, promote
agricultural production and create jobs. Such tangible
evidence would contribute to our stabilization efforts and
make a strong counter-insurgency statement. Plans for
stabilization and development in northern Helmand and
Kandahar are contingent upon enhanced security, absent which
USAID will mothball the project until the security situation
permits a new start. END COMMENT.
EIKENBERRY