Balaa dam requires Cabinet approval

Iran donates $40 million to fund project

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for building a water dam in Batroun was signed between Iran and Lebanon on Friday (November 16). The project, located in Balaa, Tannourine, will be implemented through a $40 million donation offered by the Iranian government.

The memorandum includes the construction of the dam and a water treatment plant. The plan will not be valid unless approved by Cabinet.

The project will be contracted to a Lebanese company under the planning and supervision of Iranian firms. The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) said a bid will be launched for the dam's construction.

“Local construction company Mouawad-Edde had won an earlier tender to construct the Balaa dam,” said Ziad Fakhoury, advisor to the Ministry of Energy. The MoEW said the firm shall have an edge over other applicants in the upcoming tender. “The Cabinet has the final say in choosing the contractor,” Fakhoury said.

The Balaa dam will be 500 meters long and 35 meter high. “It willbe able to hold 1.2 million cubic meters of water in static storage and 2.2 million cubic meters in dynamic storage,” Fakhoury said. The dam is expected to supply around eight villages in Tannourine and its surroundings with potable water.

The project will be completed within three years of the work commencement date.