Tasnim � Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian highlighted the Islamic Republic�s infrastructure achievements in dam construction said by the next two years, the capacity of the country�s dams will increase by 2.8 billion cubic meters.

Speaking to Tasnim, Ardakanian said the number of the country�s dams has increased ninefold since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, rising from 19 to 172.

In compliance with the previous plans, 294 million cubic meters were added to the capacity of the border dams and 406 million cubic meters to the capacity of other dams in the country during the last Iranian year, which ended on March 20, he stated.

The minister went on to say that by the end of the 12th administration�s term in 2021, the capacity of border dams will increase by 1.5 billion cubic meters and other dams� capacity will rise by 1.3 billion cubic meters.

Back in April, Ardekanian had said that the country is experiencing a year with the highest amount of annual precipitation over the past half a century.

Speaking at a televised program on April 13, Ardekanian said the average precipitation in the country during the first 15 days of the new Iranian year (started March 21) hit 57 millimeters, 19 times more than the corresponding period last year.

The minister went on to say that the rainfall has also enabled the hydroelectric power plants in the southwestern province of Khuzestan to generate electricity with maximum capacity.