Objective. The objective of this USAID-funded project is to provide the Ministry of Energy and Water with technical assistance in obtaining imported power, primarily from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, Afghanistan’s northern neighbors. A secondary objective is to provide power to load centers of principal cities, including Mazar-e-Sharif, Naibabad, Khulm, Baghlan, Kunduz, Taloqan, Pul-e Khumri, Khenjan, Kabul, Gardez, and Jalalabad along the North East Power System (NEPS) corridor.

Background. The 2005 Power Sector Master Plan recommended power import as a short- and medium-term solution to Afghanistan’s power needs while local energy resources are developed. The Ministry of Energy and Water has negotiated and signed a memorandum of understanding and protocols to import up to 300 megawatts (MW) of power from each of the three northern neighbors. Several donors have cooperated with the government of Afghanistan to construct transmission lines and other structures of the NEPS to facilitate supply of imported energy to large load centers.

Status.
Tajikistan: A 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed between Afghanistan and Tajikistan on August 29, 2008 for the import of up to 300 MW of power from Tajikistan. Construction of the interconnection in both countries is in progress. First power is expected to flow all the way to Kabul by the Spring of 2010.

Uzbekistan: Power from Uzbekistan flowed into Kabul for the first time on January 21, 2009. Up to 50 MW of power is now being supplied to Kabul from Uzbekistan over NEPS 200 kV lines. A total of up to 180 MW is expected to be supplied over the NEPS network in 2010. Negotiations on relevant agreements are still in progress.

Turkmenistan: A signed 10-year Power Purchase Agreement between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan was delivered in February, 2010. This includes an agreement to meet every six months, or as needed, and a continuation of the plans for import of 500kv transmission into Afghanistan.

Anticipated Impact. The increased availability of electricity for the population directly contributes to an increase in a country’s Gross Domestic Product. Prior to the recent import of electricity from Uzbekistan, most of Kabul received power for about four hours every other day. Now, most residences and commercial establishments receive power for 44 hours every two days. This has led to increased sales of electrical appliances, longer working hours for commercial establishments, and extended class times in schools. The imported power costs less than diesel-generated power, resulting in considerable savings to the government in fuel costs. With additional low-cost imported power, local investment in small and large industries will likely materialize, resulting in new job opportunities and consequent improvement in economic activities and the quality of life of all Afghans.

News:

Negotiations Continue for Importing Power to Afghanistan from Neighboring Countries

Technical Meeting Held in Turkmenistan on Power Import to Afghanistan