Objective. The objective of this USAID-funded project is to manage the collection, analysis, and distribution of information regarding Afghanistan’s energy situation and infrastructure development.

Background. Reliable information about the power sector in Afghanistan has been extremely difficult to obtain. Since publication of the comprehensive Power Sector Master Plan in 2004, additional information on the power sector has been sketchy, anecdotal, piecemeal, and conflicting. As a result, planning and evaluating investments has been difficult, and communication with stakeholders has often been frustrating. The Afghanistan Energy and Information Center (AEIC) was created to remedy this situation.

Status. This task order has been completed. However, the AEIC continues to fullfill its mission to collect, analyze, and distribute information regarding Afghanistan’s energy situation and infrastructure development.

The AEIC is a component of the USAID-funded Afghanistan Energy Assistance Program (AEAP), which was established to address the critical shortage of electric power resources in the country after decades of war and unrest. AEAP constructs electric facilities, supplies parts and fuel for power plants, and provides technical assistance, such as the AEIC.

The AEIC’s mission is to collect, analyze, and share information about energy in Afghanistan that is unbiased, accurate, and timely. The scope of coverage includes information about electricity, oil and gas, coal, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Energy information needs to relate with immediacy to residential, commercial, and industrial users, as well as producers and suppliers of energy products. Other functional goals of the AEIC include:

• Promoting energy efficiency, tracking energy technologies, and supporting renewable energy initiatives;
• Supporting public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment; and
• Transferring international best practices to local experts and the government of Afghanistan.

Impact. The AEIC functions on behalf of USAID and reflects USAID’s strategic vision. Within the parameters set by USAID, the AEIC has a policy of open sharing with international donors and their consultants who are active in the energy sector in Afghanistan. The AEIC is headed by an Afghan information services professional supported by international technical assistance consultants.

An important ongoing function of the AEIC is maintaining its website,http://www.afghaneic.com. , which was created in part to distribute detailed engineering drawings to Da Afghanistan Breshna Moassesa, the Ministry of Energy and Water, and donors working on rehabilitation projects. It also seeks to generate feedback from donors, government officials, local and international energy professionals active in Afghanistan, and Afghan citizens. Finally, it provides laymen with an overview of the energy situation in Afghanistan, including resources, plans, issues, maps, and programs.

News:

The Afghanistan Energy Information Center Helps Improve Information Sharing

Re-routing of Distribution Poles in Faizabad Is a Team Effort

How Much Electricity Can the Kabul Distribution System Safely Distribute?