Restoring renewable electricity and strengthening community resilience following flood damage in Firozkoh
TYPE: Renewable Energy Infrastructure – Community Hydropower – Flood Recovery – Environmental Sustainability
IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD: 2024
COMPLETION AND INAUGURATION: 1 Qaws 1403 (November 2024)
GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS: Dahan-e Tasraqi villages, Firozkoh District, Ghor Province, Afghanistan
FUNDED BY: Afghanaid
IMPLEMENTED BY: Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization (SUAO)
TARGET COMMUNITY: Families and residents of the Dahan-e Tasraqi villages who depend on the community hydropower system for access to electricity
Project Overview
The Dahan-e Tasraqi Community Hydropower Rehabilitation Project was implemented by Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization with financial support from Afghanaid in 2024.
The community hydropower system serving the Dahan-e Tasraqi villages in Firozkoh District had become non-operational after recent floods damaged essential equipment and water-management infrastructure.
The loss of electricity created serious difficulties for local families already facing geographic isolation, limited public infrastructure and restricted access to alternative sources of energy.
In response, SUAO repaired and reactivated the hydropower system. The work included replacing and repairing electricity-generation equipment, strengthening the water-diversion structure, constructing and reinforcing retaining walls, repairing and cleaning the powerhouse rooms and clearing the water-supply canal.
Following completion of the rehabilitation work, the hydropower system was formally inaugurated in the presence of representatives from Afghanaid, the Ghor Provincial Directorate of Economy and residents of the Dahan-e Tasraqi villages.
The project restored a locally available source of renewable electricity and demonstrated how targeted infrastructure rehabilitation can produce immediate and sustainable benefits for rural communities.
Development and Environmental Context
Many rural communities in Ghor Province have limited access to reliable electricity.
The mountainous geography, scattered settlements and limited public infrastructure make it difficult and expensive to connect remote villages to larger electricity networks. Communities therefore depend on locally available energy solutions, including small community hydropower systems.
Access to electricity supports many aspects of daily life, including:
- Household lighting
- Communication
- Education and study
- Access to information
- Community services
- Small-scale economic activities
- Improved safety after dark
- Charging phones and other basic equipment
- Greater connection with markets and public institutions
However, community hydropower systems are vulnerable to flooding, erosion, sediment accumulation and damage to water channels and diversion structures.
When the Dahan-e Tasraqi system became non-operational following the floods, local residents lost an important source of renewable energy. Repairing the system was therefore essential for restoring electricity and reducing the longer-term effects of the disaster.
Flood Damage and Loss of Electricity
Recent floods affected the physical infrastructure required to operate the Dahan-e Tasraqi hydropower system.
Floodwater and accumulated sediment affected the canal and water-diversion components, while parts of the electricity-generation system and powerhouse facilities required repair or replacement.
The damage resulted in the interruption of electricity services to the surrounding villages.
For communities with limited access to alternative energy sources, the loss of the hydropower system affected both household life and wider community activity.
The rehabilitation project addressed the damaged components as a connected system. Repairing only the electricity-generation equipment would not have been sufficient without also restoring the canal, water-diversion structure, retaining walls and powerhouse facilities.
Repair and Replacement of Electricity-Generation Equipment
An important component of the project was the repair and replacement of equipment required for electricity generation.
Damaged or non-functional components were examined and the necessary repairs and replacements were undertaken to restore the operational capacity of the hydropower system.
This work enabled the system to resume converting the available water flow into electricity for the participating villages.
Restoring the generation equipment helped:
- Reactivate local electricity production
- Return the system to operational condition
- Reduce the period of disruption experienced by residents
- Protect the value of the existing community infrastructure
- Avoid the higher cost of constructing an entirely new system
- Extend the useful life of the hydropower facility
By rehabilitating the existing infrastructure, the project provided a practical and cost-conscious response to the needs of the community.
Rehabilitation of the Water-Diversion Structure
The hydropower system depends on a functioning water-diversion structure to guide water safely into the canal supplying the power facility.
Flooding had weakened parts of this infrastructure and increased the risk of further erosion and damage.
The rehabilitation work therefore included strengthening the water-diversion structure and constructing or reinforcing retaining walls around vulnerable sections.
These works were undertaken to:
- Improve the stability of the water-diversion infrastructure
- Protect the system against erosion
- Guide water more safely into the supply canal
- Reduce the risk of further structural damage
- Strengthen the system’s resilience to future water flows
- Protect the investment made in electricity-generation equipment
Strengthening the water infrastructure was essential for ensuring that the repaired electricity-generation system could operate safely and reliably.
Cleaning and Rehabilitation of the Water Canal
The canal carries water from the diversion point to the hydropower facility.
Floods can fill canals with mud, stones, vegetation and other debris, restricting the flow of water and preventing the electricity-generation system from operating effectively.
As part of the rehabilitation project, the canal was cleaned and cleared.
This work helped restore the water flow required for electricity generation and reduced pressure on other parts of the system.
The canal-cleaning activities contributed to:
- Restoring an unobstructed water supply
- Improving the efficiency of the hydropower system
- Removing flood-related sediment and debris
- Reducing the risk of blockages
- Protecting electricity-generation equipment
- Supporting more reliable system operation
Regular inspection and cleaning of the canal will remain important for the system’s long-term operation.
Repair and Cleaning of the Powerhouse
The project also included the repair and cleaning of the rooms used for electricity generation and related equipment.
Maintaining a safe and functional powerhouse is important for protecting the equipment from environmental exposure, sediment, moisture and physical damage.
The rehabilitation of the powerhouse facilities helped create improved conditions for the operation, inspection and maintenance of the electricity-generation system.
The work supported:
- Better protection of technical equipment
- Safer conditions for operation and maintenance
- Improved cleanliness and organisation
- Reduced exposure to flood-related debris
- Longer operational life of the installed equipment
These repairs complemented the technical and water-management components of the intervention.
Key Project Activities
The principal project activities included:
- Assessment of the flood-damaged hydropower system
- Identification of damaged and non-functional components
- Repair and replacement of electricity-generation equipment
- Strengthening of the water-diversion structure
- Construction and reinforcement of retaining walls
- Repair and cleaning of the powerhouse rooms
- Removal of sediment and debris from the water canal
- Restoration of the water flow required for electricity generation
- Testing and reactivation of the hydropower system
- Coordination with Afghanaid and relevant local authorities
- Engagement with residents and community representatives
- Formal inauguration and handover of the rehabilitated facility
Together, these activities restored the main components required for the system to resume operation.
Community Participation and Local Ownership
The hydropower system is an important community asset for the residents of Dahan-e Tasraqi.
Community involvement and local ownership are essential because the long-term operation of the facility depends on regular monitoring, canal cleaning, timely maintenance and responsible use of the infrastructure.
Local residents participated in the project’s inauguration and expressed their appreciation for the rehabilitation work.
Mohammad Alam and Mohammad Aslam, representing elders from the participating villages, emphasised the importance of access to electricity for the community. They thanked SUAO, Afghanaid and the relevant authorities for their attention to the needs of the Dahan-e Tasraqi villages.
Their participation reflected the importance of the project to local residents and demonstrated community support for the restored facility.
Inauguration and Reactivation
The rehabilitated hydropower system was formally inaugurated and returned to community use on 1 Qaws 1403.
The inauguration was attended by:
- Representatives of Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization
- Representatives of Afghanaid
- Representatives of the Ghor Provincial Directorate of Economy
- Community elders
- Residents of the Dahan-e Tasraqi villages
The presence of the implementing organisation, funding partner, relevant government department and local community helped confirm the completion and reactivation of the system.
The event marked the restoration of electricity services and the return of an important community asset to operational use.
Main Results
The project achieved the following principal results:
- The flood-damaged community hydropower system was repaired and reactivated.
- Electricity-generation equipment was repaired or replaced.
- The water-diversion structure was strengthened.
- Retaining walls were constructed or reinforced around vulnerable sections.
- The powerhouse rooms were repaired and cleaned.
- The water-supply canal was cleared of sediment and debris.
- Water flow to the electricity-generation system was restored.
- Residents regained access to locally generated renewable electricity.
- The value and useful life of the existing community infrastructure were preserved.
- Coordination was strengthened among SUAO, Afghanaid, the Directorate of Economy and the local community.
- The rehabilitated system was formally inaugurated and returned to community use.
No beneficiary figure should be published until the number of households and residents served by the hydropower system has been verified through community or project records.
Renewable Energy and Environmental Value
The rehabilitation of the hydropower system supported environmentally sustainable access to electricity.
Community hydropower uses an available water flow to generate electricity without the continuous consumption of diesel or other fossil fuels.
When appropriately operated and maintained, local hydropower can provide several environmental and social advantages:
- Renewable electricity generation
- Reduced dependence on diesel generators
- Lower household expenditure on alternative energy sources
- Reduced fuel transportation requirements
- Productive use of locally available water resources
- Improved access to electricity in a remote community
- Longer-term use of existing infrastructure
- Greater local resilience
The project also demonstrated the environmental value of repairing existing infrastructure instead of abandoning it and constructing a completely new system.
Community Resilience
The project strengthened community resilience by restoring a service that residents could access locally.
For remote communities, resilience depends partly on the availability of essential infrastructure that can continue operating despite geographic isolation and limited access to national service networks.
Reactivating the Dahan-e Tasraqi hydropower system contributed to:
- Restored access to electricity
- Improved household living conditions
- Greater safety through access to lighting
- Better opportunities for children and young people to study
- Improved access to communication
- Support for local economic and community activities
- Reduced vulnerability following flood damage
- Stronger confidence in locally managed infrastructure
The project responded to an immediate infrastructure need while also supporting the community’s longer-term recovery from the effects of flooding.
Role of Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization
SUAO implemented the rehabilitation project through its local knowledge, community relationships and operational presence in Ghor Province.
Its responsibilities included:
- Assessing the condition of the damaged hydropower system
- Identifying the required repair activities
- Coordinating technical rehabilitation work
- Repairing and replacing electricity-generation equipment
- Supporting construction and infrastructure-strengthening activities
- Coordinating the cleaning of the canal and powerhouse
- Engaging with local residents and community elders
- Liaising with Afghanaid
- Coordinating with the Provincial Directorate of Economy
- Monitoring the completion of rehabilitation activities
- Supporting the inauguration and return of the system to community use
- Documenting the project’s implementation and results
The project strengthened SUAO’s experience in renewable energy, community infrastructure, flood recovery and environmentally sustainable development.
Partnership with Afghanaid
Financial support from Afghanaid enabled SUAO to undertake the necessary rehabilitation activities and restore the community hydropower system.
The partnership combined Afghanaid’s financial and development support with SUAO’s:
- Local presence in Ghor Province
- Knowledge of the affected communities
- Relationships with community representatives
- Understanding of local infrastructure needs
- Capacity to coordinate implementation
- Access to relevant local authorities
- Ability to monitor work at community level
This locally implemented partnership enabled the project to respond directly to an infrastructure need identified by the community.
Coordination with Local Authorities
The Ghor Provincial Directorate of Economy participated in the inauguration of the rehabilitated system.
Engagement with the relevant authorities supported transparency, institutional coordination and recognition of the project’s contribution to local development.
Coordination among SUAO, Afghanaid, government representatives and community members helped create a shared understanding of the project’s purpose and results.
Such cooperation is especially important for community infrastructure projects because their long-term value depends on technical quality, local ownership and coordination with relevant institutions.
Monitoring and Completion Verification
The physical completion and reactivation of the hydropower system provided direct evidence of the project’s principal output.
Completion verification included confirming that:
- The required electricity-generation equipment had been repaired or replaced.
- The water-diversion structure had been strengthened.
- Retaining walls had been constructed or reinforced.
- The powerhouse rooms had been repaired and cleaned.
- The water canal had been cleared.
- Water could reach the electricity-generation facility.
- The hydropower system had returned to operational use.
The formal inauguration in the presence of the funding partner, government representatives and community members provided an additional level of transparency and public confirmation.
Sustainability and Maintenance
The long-term sustainability of the project will depend on regular community-level maintenance and timely attention to emerging technical problems.
Important maintenance activities include:
- Regular inspection of electricity-generation equipment
- Routine cleaning of the water canal
- Removal of sediment and debris after heavy rainfall
- Inspection of retaining walls
- Monitoring of the water-diversion structure
- Cleaning and maintenance of the powerhouse
- Prompt repair of damaged components
- Clear allocation of community maintenance responsibilities
- Communication with technical specialists when required
Local ownership is essential for protecting the infrastructure and ensuring that the restored system continues benefiting the community.
The rehabilitation of existing infrastructure also represents a sustainable investment because it extends the operational life of a facility already known and used by local residents.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
The project contributed to several goals within the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
The project restored community access to locally generated renewable electricity.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The rehabilitation strengthened essential rural infrastructure and extended the useful life of the community hydropower system.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Restoring local electricity infrastructure improved the resilience and sustainability of remote rural settlements.
SDG 13 – Climate Action
The project repaired infrastructure damaged by flooding and strengthened vulnerable components against future environmental pressures.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
The intervention demonstrated cooperation between SUAO, Afghanaid, government representatives and local communities.
Key Lessons Learned
Existing infrastructure can often be restored efficiently
Repairing a damaged community system can be more practical and cost-effective than replacing it entirely.
Hydropower rehabilitation requires an integrated approach
Electricity-generation equipment, water channels, diversion structures, retaining walls and powerhouse facilities must function together.
Flood resilience should be incorporated into infrastructure repairs
Strengthening retaining walls and water-management structures can help reduce vulnerability to future flooding and erosion.
Community ownership is essential
Regular maintenance and local responsibility are necessary for ensuring that the restored system continues operating.
Partnerships enable locally led solutions
Afghanaid’s financial support and SUAO’s local implementation capacity made it possible to respond effectively to the community’s infrastructure needs.
Coordination strengthens transparency
The participation of local authorities, the funding partner and community representatives in the inauguration supported accountability and public confidence.
Conclusion
The Dahan-e Tasraqi Community Hydropower Rehabilitation Project restored an important source of renewable electricity for rural communities in Firozkoh District, Ghor Province.
Following flood-related damage, SUAO repaired and replaced electricity-generation equipment, strengthened the water-diversion structure, constructed and reinforced retaining walls, repaired and cleaned the powerhouse and cleared the water canal.
With financial support from Afghanaid, the rehabilitated system was formally inaugurated and returned to community use in November 2024 in the presence of partner representatives, government officials and local residents.
By restoring existing renewable-energy infrastructure, the project improved access to electricity, strengthened community resilience and protected an important local asset from being permanently lost following the floods.