The Bawanur Dam, currently under construction, is set to become the third-largest hydropower facility in the Kurdistan Region in terms of electricity production. This strategic project is being implemented entirely with local expertise and is a key priority of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

An earthen-type dam, Bawanur spans 880 meters in length, rises 20 meters in height, and has a crest width of 9 meters. With a project budget of 245 billion Iraqi dinars, the dam is expected to be fully completed by 2028. Upon completion, it will have a hydropower capacity of 34 megawatts, ranking it just after the Dukan and Derbendikhan dams in the region’s electricity production.

The dam is expected to bring significant benefits to the residents of the Garmian Administrative District, including:

Protecting large areas from desertification.
Reviving tens of thousands of dunams of agricultural land.
Ensuring water security across the district.
Increasing fish stocks.
Generating 34 megawatts of electricity for the national power grid.
Storing 30 million cubic meters of water.
Raising the groundwater level.
Supporting the tourism sector in the area.

Residents of Garmian and surrounding areas have expressed optimism about the project, highlighting its potential for expanded irrigation, improved fish production, and the ability to transport water to other regions.

Construction is progressing rapidly, with officials indicating that the project could be completed ahead of schedule, delivering tangible benefits to the people of the Kurdistan Region well before 2028.