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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
Afghan power
engineering expert installing the new system.
More information about Aybak is in the Project Information Sheet
(click
here).
Movie clips on Aybak
distribution project
(click
here)
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