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New Distribution

Qalat Electrification Project

Feeder No 1 MV 20kV Qalat Mujahid Mina MV (20kV) Power Poles instated in Qalat Distribution project By AEAI/AEPC		ABC Over head line in Qalat Installation of Meter box is under process (Qalat)		ABC Over head line in Qalat
Transformer Station No: 14 Qalat old City MV (20kV) Power Poles instated in Qalat Distribution project By AEAI/AEPC		Diesel House Rehabilitation work on process		Installation of Poles and extension of lines work process in old city of Qalat

For more information you can download the Executive Summary of Qalat Distribution Project (Adobe Acrobat File)

Aybak Distribution Project

One of the main objectives in the national development plan for Afghanistan is to enhance the potential for economic growth through the provision of secure electric energy to a broader number of residents. A large number of people living in rural areas of Afghanistan have no access to any electricity source. Some of these areas have been provided mobile diesel generators by USAID and the World Bank, however, without an adequate distribution system, the mobile diesel generators cannot be

used efficiently to supply end-users. Therefore, USAID funded a pilot project to provide new, secure electricity distribution networks. The first such project that was completed is in Aybak, the capital of Samangan province.

Approximately 4,000 customers now receive reliable electric power at night for reading and light-load electric applications: for example, recharging cell phones and watching TV. Temporarily, the power for end-users is generated by diesel generators and thus the supply is limited and expensive. In October 2008, the Northern Electric Power System (?NEPS?) will be completed, which will link Afghanistan with its Northern neighboring countries. This will enable importation of inexpensive and clean energy supplies for small towns like Aybak, and ultimately, for delivering power to Kabul.

Project Location and Impact

Before this project, Aybak had a limited 6kV overhead distribution system. The old system had undersized wires and utilized untreated wooden poles. As part of the Electricity Distribution Networks Project, most of these were replaced with new 20kV system with concrete and steel lattice poles and underground distribution of electrical lines from the overhead lines. Additionally, the project introduced the concept of a Rural Electric Association (?REA?). The REA is composed of customers of DABM who come together to understand the management of the system and revenue needs to sustain and further develop the system.

This concept enables the people of Aybak to determine their own future expansion rather than simply presenting a system for them. The commercial training provided as part of this project, over time, is more important than the gift of the initial physical system.

Project Accomplishments

The project was completed in June 2006. The local electricity authority has been involved and was trained to manage system operation, maintenance, and expansion. This effort has involved building institutional capacities, as the electricity authority will be interacting with the Rural Electric Association.

The steps towards completion of this were:

• Completion of the system design according to the newly adopted 20 kV/400 volt DABM design criteria.
• Town mapping, pole locations and all aspects of the system are in place.
• Constructing the new system and assisting DABM with new generation additions.
• Spare parts, all required tools for maintenance and a bucket lift truck were handed over to the DABM to enable them to repair the system and connect or expand services to hospitals, mosques, police stations, etc.
• New containerized offices were provided for DABM management staff.
• The initial REA organizational structure was developed, including a proposed board of directors, and in collaboration with USAID/SARI/E, basic governance, management, finance and accounting training was provided.
• The full system was tested and then successfully energized on June 24, 2006.
• The system will provide the needed requirements for the growth in electric demand in Aybak for the next 5 to 10 years.

Looking forward, future activities for the Project include:

• Expand the role of the REA
• Maintenance and distribution system staff training
• Maintenance of the generation units
• Develop revenue collection process

For more information about Aybak you can download the Project Information Sheet (Adobe Acrobat File).

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