Afghanistan : North-South Power Transmission Enhancement Project (formerly Power Distribution Project)

Sovereign Project | 46392-001

The project will construct a 500-kV transmission line about 225 km long across the Hindukush mountain range between the northern town of Dashte Alwan and Kabul, at the southern end. It will include a new 500-kV / 220-kV substation to connect to the grid in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. The project will add 1,000-2,300 MW to the existing 300 MW of transmission capacity between northern and southern Afghanistan. The new line will transmit electricity produced domestically by hydropower and fossil fuel generation in the country's northern region, as well as accommodate power imports from neighboring Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to supply Afghanistan's domestic needs. The project will complement a second ADB power project under the proposed tranche 5 of ADB's Energy Sector Development Investment Program to build a 500-kV substation to connect to the grid at the northern end of the line in Dashte Alwan.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    ADB Disclosure
    Central and West Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Afghanistan
  • Sector
    • Energy
Project Name North-South Power Transmission Enhancement Project (formerly Power Distribution Project)
Project Number 46392-001
Country / Economy Afghanistan
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0374-AFG: North-South Power Transmission Enhancement
Asian Development Fund US$ 99.00 million
Grant 0375-AFG: North-South Power Transmission Enhancement
Afghanistan Infrastructure Trust Fund US$ 117.00 million
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution

Gender No gender elements
Description

The project will construct a 500-kV transmission line about 225 km long across the Hindukush mountain range between the northern town of Dashte Alwan and Kabul, at the southern end. It will include a new 500-kV / 220-kV substation to connect to the grid in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. The project will add 1,000-2,300 MW to the existing 300 MW of transmission capacity between northern and southern Afghanistan. The new line will transmit electricity produced domestically by hydropower and fossil fuel generation in the country's northern region, as well as accommodate power imports from neighboring Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to supply Afghanistan's domestic needs. The project will complement a second ADB power project under the proposed tranche 5 of ADB's Energy Sector Development Investment Program to build a 500-kV substation to connect to the grid at the northern end of the line in Dashte Alwan.

The Project is ranked as the top priority in Afghanistan Power Sector Masterplan (2012-32) as well as in the National Energy Supply Program (NESP) of the Government of Afghanistan.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Afghanistan is a net energy importer. While indigenous renewable energy and fossil fuels resources exist, these need to be developed. By 2032, the power demand in Afghanistan is forecast to reach 3,500 MW and electric consumption to touch 18,400 GWh, and meeting this demand requires development of all viable import and local generation. The project will connect imported power supply sources from the country's northern neighbors to the eastern and southern load centers in Afghanistan.

The transmission line and substation to be provided under the project, combined with the substation needed to complete the system to be financed under tranche 5 of the Energy Sector Development Investment Program, will be central to the envisaged regional power trade and Afghanistan's important future role in it as an energy resource corridor connecting Central Asia's electricity systems with its own and those of South Asia.

Impact

Increased power trade between Afghanistan and its neighbors, and a higher rate of electrification within the country

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Supply of power from the north of Afghanistan to the south and east increased

Progress Toward Outcome The turnkey contract for transmission line has been awarded and the turnkey contract for substation was awarded in December 2017. The bidding documents were issued on 17 December 2014 and bid closing date was 25 February 2015. The implementation supervision consultant was awarded and the contract was signed on 06 August 2016 and the consultant was fielded by August 2016 and the work progress is on track at project site.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

A 500-kV transmission line from Baghlan to Kabul (Dashte Alwan to Arghundy) commissioned including a 500/220-kV substation in Arghundy, Kabul

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

- For Transmission Line contract: Both technical and financial bids were evaluated. It was awarded in November 2015 and signed in 07 June 2016. Contractor was mobilized in August 2016.

- For Substation contract: Both technical and financial bids were evaluated. It was awarded in October 2017 and signed on 11 December 2017. Contractor was mobilized in June 2018.

Geographical Location Arghandeh, Bagram, Charikar, Doshi, Jabal us Saraj, Kalakan, Khinjan, Mir Bachah Kot, Paghman, Pul-e Khumri, Puli Khumri, Qarah Bagh, Salang, Shakar Darah
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects

The project is classified category B for environment. DABS prepared an initial environmental examination (IEE) report, including an environmental management plan (EMP) in accordance with ADB''s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009). The environmental impacts anticipated during the construction are site-specific and temporary and can be mitigated through implementation of the EMP. Potential environmental impacts of the project during operations include fragmentation of the bird habitats and the electrocution or injury of birds through collision and contact with wires in the vicinity of Salang-Kotal bird habitat. The EMP mitigation measures are adequate and include the careful routing of the transmission line to be undertaken during detailed design, which will consider a baseline ornithological survey in the vicinity of Salang-Kotal bird habitat; specially designed poles, conductors, and insulators; and the provision of bird diverters. The draft initial environmental examination report was disclosed on the ADB''s website on 23 August 2013. The current security situation along the line route has made it difficult to consult effectively with communities. The public consultations were conducted and the IEE and EMP updated prior to construction. Implementation of the EMP will be reported through environmental monitoring reports, which will be submitted to ADB semiannually. Environmental specialists of the implementation consultant will provide additional support to the PMO.

The updated IEE was disclosed in June 2018.

Involuntary Resettlement

The project is category B for involuntary resettlement. Based on the preliminary project design, a land acquisition and resettlement plan (LARP) has been prepared in close consultation with 12 affected households. It was disclosed on ADB''s website on 22 August 2013, in accordance with ADB''s Safeguard Policy Statement. A detailed socioeconomic survey was carried out in May 2013. Once the contractor completes the detailed design, DABS will update the LARP and submit it to ADB for approval. No civil works will start until the LARP is fully implemented by DABS. The transmission line will run mainly through government land along the existing 220-kV transmission line. The substation site is owned by the government.

Implementation of the LARP will be monitored semiannually and a report will be submitted to ADB. The report will include the number of affected households that have been paid compensation, the amount paid, and the locations where compensation was completed and structures demolished, if any.

Indigenous Peoples No impact on indigenous peoples is expected. The project is category C for indigenous peoples. The field social survey found that no ethnic minority, as defined by ADB''s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), will be involved in or affected by the project.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design The project has limited scope for stakeholder engagement since it involves construction of upstream power sector infrastructure. Information sharing will relate to land acquisition based on the siting of infrastructure. The current security situation along the line route has made it difficult to consult effectively with communities. The public consultations were conducted and the IEE and EMP updated prior to construction. The project benefits will accrue across the board to the entire population as more people are later connected to networks distributing the additional power which the project transmission system will bring from the north.
During Project Implementation Information sharing will relate to land acquisition based on the siting of transmission infrastructure. The project benefits will accrue across the board to the entire population as more people are later connected to networks distributing the additional power which the project transmission system will bring from the north.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services

All consultants will be engaged in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time). Consulting firms will be recruited using quality- and cost-based selection under a full technical proposal.

Byucksan Power Co. Ltd. was recruited as an implementation consultant in June 2016.

Procurement

Procurement of works and goods to be financed under the project will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2013, as amended from time to time). International competitive bidding will be used for the 500-kV transmission line and the 500-kV and 220-kV substation turnkey contract package.

EPC contract (transmission line) was awarded to KPTL-RGM in November 2015.

EPC contract (substation line) was awarded to JV of Techno Electric and Engineering Company Limited - RGM International Group in December 2017.

Responsible ADB Officer ADB Disclosure
Responsible ADB Department Central and West Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Afghanistan Resident Mission
Timetable
Concept Clearance 30 May 2013
Fact Finding 04 Jun 2013 to 11 Jun 2013
MRM 11 Sep 2013
Approval 25 Nov 2013
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 26 Sep 2018

Grant 0374-AFG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
25 Nov 2013 14 Dec 2013 10 Mar 2014 30 Jun 2017 31 Jul 2022 -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 103.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 99.00 24 Apr 2023 99.00 0.00 100%
Counterpart 4.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 24 Apr 2023 64.84 0.00 65%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Partly satisfactory - Satisfactory - -

Grant 0375-AFG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
25 Nov 2013 14 Dec 2013 10 Mar 2014 30 Jun 2017 30 Jun 2021 15 Jul 2021
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 117.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 24 Apr 2023 0.00 117.00 100%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 117.00 24 Apr 2023 0.00 117.00 100%

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