Nov 24 2010
One of the burning issues in Afghanistan is the scarcity of electricity, as the national electric power plants are either totally closed, or are functioning with only a small fraction of power being generated. The electricity supplies are purchased from other countries using some amount of the international financial aid given to the country.
For circumventing a total energy collapse, the energy sector has to be constructed step by step. The first step was the generation of electricity from the Naglu hydro power unit, which was then supplied to Kabul’s electric grid. This unit which had remained unused for several years is now completely functioning to its maximum capacity. A Russian energy firm Technopromexport, has been upgrading the plant, and will take another 11/2 years for upgrading the other three units of the Nagly plant, thus solving the electricity supply problem to the capital city of Afghanistan.
According to Yakov Blishko, head of a Russian company, Inset, electricity supply to the provinces, can be achieved by using local rivers. Several hydropower plants, both small and big scale, can be constructed on the rivers. He also mentioned that in the past, Afghan Officials had signed a contract with their company for the Bamian hydropower plant with a 50 kW capacity. This plant was operating successfully from the previous year using Inset equipment and ideas. He stated that the Chamkani hydro power unit, near Jalalabad, was also designed by the company and the necessary equipment provided for. Further, he revealed that the Afghan government had also requested Inset to reconstruct the hydro power plant in Hurbant Province. It was fitted with a new turbine block. The company took care of the design needs, the supply of the necessary equipment and also control of the training needs for the local personnel. Both local expertise and new efficient hydropower plants would restore the Afghan electric supply sector.
Source: http://www.inset.ru/