Minister inaugurates projects, unveils new development plans in Khuzestan
Iran’s Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi marked the operational phase of a series of major water and electricity projects during a two-day visit to southwestern Khuzestan Province and announced the launch of several other strategic infrastructure projects.
The projects ranged from drinking water supply, transmission network development, water resource management, facility optimization, and electricity infrastructure strengthening and were either commissioned or had construction started with the minister’s participation.
The Ghadir water supply and transmission capacity expansion project was inaugurated on Wednesday. According to Khuzestan Governor Mohammadreza Mavalizadeh, the project took about 10 months to complete and the increased capacity will help ease drinking water and agricultural shortages in several areas, ISNA reported.
Also, at a ceremony marking the expansion, Aliabadi said, “We are on the verge of upstream development of the Bakhtiari Dam. With the plan now approved, a $1.2 billion investment is set to flow into the region, creating a substantial boost in the region.”
He added that the country has “12,000 MW of hydropower capacity, which, when combined with its solar resources, will significantly improve the energy situation,” IRNA reported.
Also on Wednesday, seven electricity distribution projects by the Khuzestan Power Distribution Company were collectively commissioned in Shush County, aimed at developing energy supply infrastructure and improving services in urban and rural areas of the province.
On Tuesday, the first day of the minister’s provincial visit, 39 projects by the Khuzestan Regional Power Company were inaugurated. In addition, the Bahmanshir River dam and navigation lock were commissioned.
According to ISNA, the Bahmanshir River dam and navigation lock project, besides preventing salt and fresh water interference, also functions as a movable bridge with rotational joints to facilitate land and river transportation.
The main objective of the project is to prevent Persian Gulf saltwater intrusion into the Karun and Bahmanshir rivers and to stabilize the region’s hydraulic conditions. Besides its protective role, the structure is expected to increase agricultural resilience and strengthen the local ecosystem.
Speaking at Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony for the Bahmanshir River dam and navigation lock in Khorramshahr, Mavalizadeh said, “This infrastructure project is a precursor to completing two other dams in Mard and Choybdeh, and with the commissioning of these projects, fresh and high-quality water will be available to the people of the region.”
He also announced the launch of three other important projects.
“Dredging of the Arvand is one of the vital projects for the province,” he said.
“Also, the construction of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway is a complementary factor for transforming this region into a hub of growth and an economic driver of the province,” the governor said.