HERAT (Pajhwok Afghan News) — Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) on Thursday said Iran has cut short electricity supply to Afghanistan due to the rise in temperature and reducing water level in the neighbouring country’s dams. According to Herat DABS officials, 60% of Herat electricity is imported from Iran and 40% from Turkmenistan.

Amanullah Ghalib, DABS general head, told a press conference in western Herat province that Iran currently provided 20 to 30 MW of electricity against 110 MW in contract with Afghanistan. Iran had not only reduced exporting electricity to Afghanistan, but also to Iraq and Pakistan.

Ghalib said a DABS delegation would travel to Iran next Saturday and convince the Iranians to at least provide 50 MW electricity to Afghanistan. “This issue has been discussed through diplomatic channels, we have also talked on telephone with the other side and Iran has promised to exempt Afghanistan from power cut,” he added. He said Salma Dam turbines were currently off and they were trying to turn them on that would generate 14 MW of electricity.

The Salma Dam electricity and 70 MW imported power from Turkmenistan would together help meet Herat province’s electricity shortage, Ghalib said.

However, Herat governor’s spokesman, Jilani Farhad, said the turbines of Salma Dam would not be turned on until fall season as per the local administration’s decision and low level of water in the dam.