Tuesday September 19, 2017
Kabul (BNA) Solar and wind projects play significant role in Afghanistan, as the ministry of energy and water is making effort to establish and utilize such projects in the country.
The first-ever solar and wind power plant with the capacity of generating two megawatts of electricity was put into service at the industrial park in western Herat province on Sunday. Water and Energy Minister Ali Ahmad Osmani, who inaugurated the plant, termed the $3.5 million project as “a biggest one” in Afghanistan. He said the plant would produce two megawatts of power. The solar panels would produce 1,700 kilowatts while the wind turbines would generate 300 kilowatts, he added.
He said nearly 15,000 families would benefit from the plant-generated electricity. The complex on 40 acres of land contained 5,320 solar panels and three wind turbines. Minister Osmani expressed gratitude to Japan, which funded the project. According to the minister, the plant will benefit 100 small factories in the industrial town of Herat city, the provincial capital, as well. He said the new plant would help reduce reliance on power imported from neighboring countries. He said similar projects would be carried out in various provinces in the next few months. An economic expert, Saifuddin Saihoun told that recently many projects have been inaugurated by the government in Herat province—a move which would be effective to improve people life in different fields.
Another economic expert, Azrakhsh Hafezi said, “There is no doubt that Afghanistan is a country where is dependent to other countries in term of energy, adding if the country’s domestic energy is used, it will somehow solve the problems in the respect.” The ministry of energy and water’s recent step can be effective toward Afghanistan’s self-reliance, he added.
Likewise, general head of Breshna Company, Amanullah Ghalib said $30mln has been considered to be spent to expand power network in some districts of Heart province. A number of Heart’s provincial council members and residents welcomed the project and expressed their happiness. They hoped such projects to be launched across the country to shun reliance on imported power. Currently, the people of Heart are using importing power of Iran and Turkmenistan, they hope their problems in this regard to be soon solved.
Shukria Kohistani
