The Government said that the pledge of completing 18 dams in the Iranian current year would not be met. It was said that shortage of cement was among the reasons for fewer dams being completed.
While the target of 18 dams had been cited early last year as being on schedule for the country to complete by 20 March, later in 2007 the Ministry of Energy said 24 dams would be completed by year-end. No details were immediately available to reconcile the difference in the totals.
Last May, the total number of dams under construction was given as 85. Later in 2007 the Ministry of Water Affairs commented that a further 176 potential dam projects were being examined.
Iran also plans to widen its dam building co-operation with other countries, there already being activities in Tajikistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Government said consultations were underway with 10 further countries, including Kenya, Sri Lanka, Bolivia and Mali.
In November last year a pact on hydropower co-operation was signed between Iran and Turkey. A few months earlier Iran and Syria said they were looking to greater dams co-operation.
