Kajaki Dam Turns on the Lights in Afghanistan's South

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003659

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT PASS AID/ANE; AID/EGAT

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: EAID ENRG ECON SENV AF
SUBJECT: Kajaki Dam Turns on the Lights in Afghanistan's South

REF: A. KABUL 3186

B. KABUL 2688

C. KABUL 2670


1. (SBU) Summary: Despite security issues that continue to affect
the Kajaki dam project, USAID recently completed refurbishing a
second hydroelectric turbine at the dam in Helmand province. This
turbine, together with another rebuilt by USAID in September 2005,
has boosted the power generation capacity of the Kajaki hydropower
plant to approximately 33 megawatts (MW),of which 12 MW are now
being transmitted to Kandahar City and 18 MW to communities in
Lashkar Gah, Musa Qala, and Sangin. Providing power to Helmand and
Kandahar helps create jobs and deter insurgency elements.
Attempting to co-opt these positive developments, Taliban groups
have tried to claim the dam renovation was due to their threats. A
concerted Afghan-led public affairs strategy is effectively
addressing this misinformation campaign. End summary.

Kajaki Dam History
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2. (U) In 1953, the U.S. government funded Kajaki dam to provide
irrigation in the Helmand River Valley. During the mid-1970s, USAID
installed two 16.5 MW turbine generators in the hydropower plant
located at the foot of the dam. These units deteriorated during
twenty-five years of neglect resulting from the Soviet invasion and
subsequent Taliban regime.

Progress
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3. (U) With the recent refurbishment of the second turbine, the
Kajaki dam now produces 33 MW of electricity. Of this 33 MW, 12 MW
go to Kandahar city, three times the power the city received from
Kajaki in 2008, according to local electric utility staff. The city
now enjoys daily 24-hour power in contrast with widespread power
rationing prevalent through June of this year. (However,
insufficient line capacity continues to restrain full transmission
to the city and not all consumers receive equal benefits.) In
addition, nearby communities receive 18 MW of power: Lashkar Gah
7.5 MW, Sangin 4 MW, and Tangi-Kajaki-Musa Qala 6.5 MW.


4. (U) Afghans first cite employment and access to electricity when
asked to identify the "biggest problem in your local area"
(according to ISAF and Asia Foundation surveys),and increased power
from Kajaki addresses both. The refurbishment project directly
employed Afghan powerhouse workers, Afghan machinists, and Afghan
subcontractors, while greater access to more reliable and cheaper
power will stimulate economic development and spur further job
creation.

Combating Taliban Misinformation
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5. (SBU) Attempting to co-opt these positive developments, Taliban
groups have tried to claim the dam renovation was accelerated due to
their threats. A concerted Afghan-led public affairs strategy is
effectively addressing this misinformation campaign. Helmand
Governor Galabuddin Mangal has asked to visit the dam with Helmand
media in the upcoming weeks, and the PRT is supporting Governor
Mangal's request. The Embassy is also exploring the possibility of
a joint event at Kajaki with President Karzai and Ambassador
Eikenberry. While we will publicize progress at Kajaki Dam, we will
be careful not to overstate the improvements, since significant work
is still needed at the site and security remains an issue. To
highlight overall gains in the energy sector, the Embassy is
launching an awareness campaign including interviews, press releases
and television spots to highlight gains in the energy sector.

Future Steps
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6. (SBU) Realization of Kajaki's full potential to generate 51.5 MW
of power will require the installation of the third turbine and an
upgrade of transmission lines. The security situation around Kajaki
makes the future of that phase of the project uncertain. USAID
support will also help commercialize and improve Kandahar City's
electrical utility. Long-term success for the municipal utility
(and Afghanistan's entire energy sector) depends on security and
ability to collect fees to pay for operation, maintenance, and
infrastructure investment.


7. (SBU) Over the next 18 months, USAID will work with national
utility DABS to improve the efficiency of the Kandahar City power
grid. A first step will be an assessment of physical infrastructure
needs in the city. In addition, USAID has released tenders for two
new electricity sub-stations for the Kajaki system and will build or
refurbish additional sub-stations and new transmission lines,
depending on the security situation.


KABUL 00003659 002 OF 002


Comment
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8. (SBU) It is noteworthy that the Taliban, who have little value
to provide Afghan citizens, feel sufficiently threatened by projects
such as the Kajaki dam renovation that they are trying to take
credit for it in the eyes of the local populace. We are stepping up
our public diplomacy game to ensure the project is recognized as
part of a long-term USG commitment and strengthens the credibility
of the Afghan government in the eyes of its citizens. End comment.


Eikenberry