The Mosul Dam, located on the Tigris River in northern Iraq, is the country’s largest dam and one of the most strategically important infrastructures in the region.
Originally completed in the 1980s, the dam provides hydroelectric power, irrigation, and drinking water to millions of Iraqis. However, due to the dam’s complex geological foundations and years of conflict-related neglect, critical rehabilitation work was required to ensure its long-term stability and the safety of downstream communities.
Our Role: Building the Foundation for a Safer Tomorrow
In 2016, the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources launched an ambitious program to stabilize and maintain the dam, appointing Trevi S.p.A. of Italy as the main contractor. To support the success of this high-profile mission, Trevi selected ES-KO as subcontractor to design, build, and operate the entire site compound supporting the maintenance and grouting operations.
ES-KO’s scope of work covered a wide range of construction, life-support, and facility management services under extremely challenging conditions. This included:
- Construction of accommodations, offices, kitchens, dining facilities, laundries, clinics, and recreational areas
- Installation of essential utilities such as water and sewage systems, power generation units, and air-conditioning
- Establishment of secure perimeter fencing, fire-fighting systems, and access-control infrastructure
- Provision of daily camp operations, catering, and maintenance services for hundreds of international and local personnel
Delivering Under Exceptional Conditions
Operating in a high-risk environment near Mosul — at the time still impacted by the presence of ISIS — required meticulous coordination and strict safety protocols. Supported by the Italian military forces, ES-KO ensured uninterrupted camp operations and living conditions for over 450 engineers, technicians, and support staff deployed to the site.
ES-KO’s ability to mobilize rapidly and deliver turnkey services under pressure once again demonstrated its unique strength in remote and complex environments.
Impact and Legacy
The Mosul Dam project stands as a milestone in Iraq’s post-conflict recovery efforts and a symbol of international collaboration for infrastructure resilience. ES-KO’s contribution provided the essential foundation for Trevi’s engineering work — ensuring that the teams could focus on their core mission: securing Iraq’s most important water resource for future generations.
