Gotvand Dam
Commonly called Gotvand Dam, the asset’s confirmed official name is Upper Gotvand Dam (سد گتوند بالا). Phase 1 entered service in 2012–13 with 1,000 MW of installed capacity. Environmental considerations are material to asset assessment, particularly salinization and related downstream effects.
Strategic and market-access role
Gotvand Dam is a high-relevance water and power asset in the Hormuz Graph because it sits on the Karun River system, one of Khuzestan’s defining infrastructure and environmental corridors. Its role connects hydropower generation, river regulation, agricultural water exposure, urban and industrial water stress, and environmental risk in a province central to oil, gas, steel, and farming. The asset is analytically important because water-management decisions around the Karun can influence downstream productivity, public utilities, ecological pressure, and industrial resilience across southwest Iran. Provides hydropower capacity within Iran’s electricity system; the evidence pack does not specify its current grid connections or offtake arrangements.
Operations, capacity & connectivity
Related use cases
Useful for hydropower context analysis, water-risk assessment, agricultural supply-chain screening, environmental-risk review, industrial site evaluation, and public-project monitoring in Khuzestan. Investors and analysts can use it to understand how river-basin management affects energy reliability, farming conditions, urban services, and heavy industry. Project-level assessment should verify current water quality issues, reservoir management, downstream impacts, grid role, and public-sector procurement pathways.
Capacity and service area
Capacity: 1,000 MW installed hydropower capacity (4 × 250 MW turbines), reported for 2012. Reservoir capacity was reported as 4.5 billion m³ in 2013.
Industries served
Power generation; water management.
Ownership, operation & expansion
Owner and operator
Owner: Iran Water and Power Resources Development Co. Operator: Iran Water and Power Resources Development Co.
Opening or commissioning
2013 (Phase 1 inauguration: 22 April 2013; first generator commissioned 5 May 2012)
Expansion and development projects
A further 1,000 MW second phase was projected in 2013, with estimated completion by 2015. Its current status is not confirmed in the evidence reviewed.
Constraints, risk & compliance
Key risks and compliance considerations
Published environmental risk assessments identify reservoir and downstream salinization associated with dissolution of the Gachsaran formation/Anbal salt mine, downstream erosion and sedimentation, reservoir eutrophication, and potential induced seismicity linked to reservoir loading.
Connected Intelligence
Relevant geography, industry, market and execution context for this profile.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions most likely to arise when reviewing this profile.
What is the official name of Gotvand Dam?
The confirmed official name is Upper Gotvand Dam (سد گتوند بالا), although it is commonly called Gotvand Dam.
What is the installed capacity of Upper Gotvand Dam?
The evidence reviewed reports 1,000 MW of installed hydropower capacity, comprising four 250 MW turbines, as of 2012.
Who owns and operates Upper Gotvand Dam?
Iran Water and Power Resources Development Co. is reported as both owner and operator, based on 2023-source information.
What risks are associated with Upper Gotvand Dam?
Published environmental assessments identify salinization risks in the reservoir and downstream system, erosion and sedimentation downstream, reservoir eutrophication, and potential induced seismicity associated with reservoir loading.