KABUL - The Ministry of Water and Energy on Sunday signed an agreement with a private construction company for the reconstruction of Naghlu and Mahipar hydroelectric dams.
Funded by the World Bank, the project was estimated to cost $15 million (718 million afghanis) and would take 18 months to complete, acting water and energy minister, Mohammad Ismail Khan, told reporters after the signing ceremony.

The agreement was signed with the Zemintaş Construction Company, he said, adding the firm would also install new switchboards at the dams. The company has already launched repairs of generators at Mahipar and Naghlu dams.

Khan said the repair work was expected to be completed in a year. With the completion of the project, power generation by the dams will increase by 22 megawatts.

Currently, Naghlu Dam produces 100 megawatts and Mahipar 66 megawatts of electricity. The Russian-built Naghlu Dam was constructed 45 years ago and the Mahipar Dam was built by Germany.

Electricity from the dams is presently supplied to Kabul City alone. As a result of the project, the dam will also supply power to eastern Nangarhar province.