Islamic Emirate at a Glance

(Part 12)

Summary of the Most Significant Accomplishments of the Islamic Emirate

(2022 – 2023)

By: H.N

Utilizing Water and Energy for Economic Development

Water and energy constitute two vital and fundamental sectors crucial for the economic advancement of a nation, warranting substantial emphasis on effective management and development. Over the past two years, the Islamic Emirate has notably heightened its attention to this matter, culminating in significant achievements in the proficient administration of these pivotal sectors, leading to promising future outcomes.

Water Management

The water sector operates within four domains, encompassing governance, water management, water engineering services, and management of water resources. Given the critical importance of this sector, the Islamic Emirate has made concerted efforts in this regard and has achieved remarkable milestones as well.

A) Governance

One of the key strategies in water management is the harmonization of water programs with its governance. In this context, the resumption of rehabilitation work on the Shah Wa Aros dam in Kabul Province, the Pashdan dam in Herat Province, the Namak Aab irrigation project in Takhar Province, the second phase of the Kajaki dam project in Helmand Province, the tunneling of the Bakshabad dam in Farah Province, and the implementation of the sea dam reinforcement project in the Amu River are among the most significant initiatives undertaken in this regard.

Furthermore, executing protective and maintenance projects for 10 dams and canals across various provinces, standardizing project documentation, reviewing and endorsing 6 technical management protocols, hosting numerous sessions with international institutions and foreign organizations to attract investment in water projects, and signing MoUs with several entities are notable accomplishments achieved in the past year. These endeavors have had considerable and positive effects on water management within the country.

B) Permit and Control

Permit and control of water also play a crucial role in water management. Increased attention to this sector in the past year has yielded positive results. Water regulation, irrigation, and canal construction in coastal areas of the country, gathering data on private water supply company operations in urban and rural areas, national-level water conflict resolution, effective alignment with laws and regulations, management of water permits, and water allocation in Kabul and the provinces, are among the significant activities undertaken in this sector.

C) Water Resources Management

A comprehensive groundwater assessment system has been introduced in the country for the first time as part of water resource management initiatives. Additionally, the technical details of springs, aqueducts, and surface water resources are being documented in the National Water Information Bank.

Moreover, extensive efforts have been made to evaluate the groundwater conditions in 17 cities, including the excavation of hundreds of absorption wells for rainwater and snow storage, establishment of surveillance networks for surface water resources, and the development and compilation of data for surface water resource analysis. These significant undertakings have resulted in notable improvements and standardization in the management of the country’s water resources.

Energy Sector Management

The Islamic Emirate has demonstrated a comprehensive focus on the energy sector, which encompasses energy policy formulation, program development, regulation of energy services, and the establishment of electronic energy markets and sustainable energy initiatives. Significant tangible accomplishments have been achieved in this domain over the past year:

A) Attracting Investment for Energy Program Alignment

Efforts have been diligently pursued over the past year to facilitate investment in the country through energy policy-making, planning, and program implementation. As a result, notable progress has been achieved, accompanied by positive outcomes:

1. Holding a conference to attract and encourage investors.

2. Signing six contracts with domestic and foreign companies to attract investment for electricity production from domestic sources.

3. Reviewing and collecting information on 15 projects.

4. Evaluating proposals and plans from investors.

5. Efforts to implement regional projects such as CASA-1000 and TAP.

6. Developing and approving four policies and three guidelines for energy conservation.

B) Sustainable Energy Management

Over the past year, preliminary data and statistics regarding the solar energy capacity for installing solar devices have been systematically compiled in some provinces such as Kunar, Bamyan, Kandahar, Ghazni, and Daikundi, aimed at achieving sustainable energy management across the nation.

Moreover, significant efforts have been made during this period, including feasibility assessments for five solar energy projects in the mentioned provinces, the formulation of impactful awareness programs, initiatives for energy conservation and preservation within governmental institutions, and preliminary studies to ascertain the necessary standards. These endeavors represent the major achievements in the energy sector over the past year.

C) Power Line Repair and Energy Saving

During the past year, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) has undertaken significant initiatives in the energy sector, resulting in tangible achievements. DABS has successfully rehabilitated a 170-kilometer electricity transmission line from Kajaki to Kandahar, valued at $3.5 million USD, effectively increasing the power transmission capacity from 30 megawatts to 85 megawatts. Interestingly, a foreign company had estimated the rehabilitation cost for this power line at approximately $20 million USD.

Furthermore, DABS has undertaken measures to separate electricity lines for industrial parks in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces from residential areas, thereby preventing disruptions and power cuts in these vital economic zones.

Moreover, DABS demonstrated cost efficiency in its projects, exemplified by the design, installation, and operation of a substation in Chamtal district, Balkh province, at a total value of half a million US dollars, effectively increasing energy absorption capacity to 4 megawatts. In contrast, a foreign company had estimated the project cost at approximately $2.5 million USD.

Considering that Afghanistan imports 80% of its required electricity from neighboring countries, the efficient management by DABS technical team has led to the production of around 500 megawatts of electricity from domestic resources (Naghlu, Mahipar, and Sarobi) in the past year, generating revenue of 3.5 billion Afghanis.

Furthermore, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat has successfully connected a 230-kilometer electricity transmission line from Argandi in Kabul to Khwost province, with a total cost of $120,000 USD, encompassing servicing, activation, and integration with the SCADA system. Conversely, a foreign company had estimated the project cost at $600,000 USD.

D) Reconstruction of Domestic Power Plants

In recent years, energy sector authorities have embarked on initiatives to enhance domestic electricity generation by renovating and reconstructing power plants. This strategic endeavor has not only led to cost efficiencies in the refurbishment and reconstruction processes but has also resulted in increased electricity production from domestic sources. The key components of these endeavors include:

1. The reactivation of the Gilabey Dam gate at Naghlu Power Plant after 38 years, achieved at a cost of 200,000 Afghanis, stands in stark contrast to the projected expense of 13 million dollars if outsourced to a foreign company.

2. The refurbishment of the second turbine in the generator at Mahi Par Power Plant, originally capable of producing 22 megawatts, has effectively doubled the electricity production capacity to 44 megawatts.

3. The restoration of the second turbine in the internal power generator at Dorontah has led to a notable increase in production capacity, escalating from 7.6 megawatts to 11.4 megawatts as a result of project implementation.

4. The reconstruction of turbines in hydroelectric generators at Ajar Valley, with a collective capacity of 50 kilowatts, Stalef with a capacity of 144 kilowatts, and Charikar with a capacity of 800 kilowatts, has culminated in an augmented electricity production capacity of approximately 1 megawatt following the repair and reconstruction of these hydroelectric machines.

Continued…

Reference: IEA’s Accomplishments