Energy Sources| Biogas

Biogas

Biogas Promotion

In the lowland areas 0 f Jalalabad, Laghman, Kabul; Logar and Herat Provinces, firewood scarcity is sufficiently acute to merit the promotion of energy alternatives. Biogas is one such alternative. Conditions in the target provinces are considered suitable, given the availability of animal dung, assured access to water and temperatures mild enough to support year-round methane production.

View of fixed dome type bio gas plant, which is using for domestic cooking. 75 plants of biogas have been constructed in Laghman, Nangarhar and Herat provinces.

biogas plant is currently constructing, units with the capacity of 8 to 50 cu.m, and is built from brick and cement. This size is sufficient to provide an extended family of 20 persons with up to 7 hours of gas per day for cooking, lighting or ironing, using the manure from animals. The digestion process also generates high quality fertilizer. This can either be sold or used to improve agricultural output on the family farm.

More than 100 units have already been constructed in the target area. The owners of biogas pay the program cost of biogas units over a period of 8 -12 months. Additional plants are constructed with the received repayment.

Within the target districts, strict criteria are followed in the selection of beneficiary households, given the relatively high cost of the units, the quantities of manure and water that are needed and the maintenance requirements. Ownership of livestock, access to a permanent water source and availability of finance are some of the pre-requisites. Beneficiaries are required to sign an agreement that stipulates the terms and conditions of the assistance, including payment terms. A cash deposit is expected.