AEIC

Naghlu Hydro Electric Plant

Naghlu is Afghanistan’s largest power plant. It was constructed in 1967 with 4 Francis type vertical turbines on the Kabul River at Naghlu under USSR Techno-Economic Assistance. It has a capacity of 100 MW, making it the largest single plant in Afghanistan. At present the plant is producing about 100 MW, mainly due to low water levels. Due to deterioration, non-availability of spare parts, and lack of servicing, the plant production is not reliable. The World Bank is financing spares and replacement parts under an ongoing grant and will co-finance major rehabilitation under a new IDA credit.

Water shortage and low reservoir levels constrain the available power output of Naghlu. Note the high level of seasonality of water flows.

Seasonality of Naghlu (1976 data)

As of Winter 2005, during a site visit by AEAI consultants, all units are running well except unit 3, which has increased vibration. Even after 38 years units are still capable to run at 100 MW. The power plant suffers from the lack of tools, equipment for maintenance, computer system that can keep simplified inventory for spare parts.

According to the World Bank 2004 Rehabilitation Project Information Documents, power generated at Naghlu is conveyed to Kabul through a double circuit 110kV transmission line to the East Substation (approximately 54.4 kilometers), and a single circuit 110 kV transmission line (circuit 143) connects East Substation to North Substation (approximately 27 kilometers).

Rehabilitation Program

The plant already received some parts for rehabilitation from Russian supplier for $1.5 million finance by ARTF. The over all work includes to extensively refurbishing the mechanical and electromechanical equipment (turbine, generator), the hydro-mechanical equipment (valves), and the control, regulation, and protection equipment.; There is a need to work very closely with the plant management to develop economic optimization of water in this power plant.