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

Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution

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.

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.

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

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

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

- 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.

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.

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.

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 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.