15,000 families to benefit from $5m renewable energy project

KABUL (Pajhwok): About 15,000 Afghans are set to benefit from more reliable and better access to electricity under a US $5 million renewable energy project funded by the govement of Japan, the Japanese Embassy in Kabul said on Wednesday.

Further to the signing between the govement of Japan and UNOPS in February 2016, a letter was exchanged between Afghan Energy and Water Minister Eng. Ali Ahmad Osmani and Mikko Lainejoki, Director and Representative of UNOPS Afghanistan here on Wednesday.

As an implementing partner, UNOPS will improve the power supply in the weste province of Herat and conduct a feasibility study on the rehabilitation of a waste water treatment plant in Kabul.

Commencing on April 1, the 12-month initiative will be conducted in close partnerships with the Ministry of Energy and Water and with funding from Japan.

In Herat, 1,500 households and 100 businesses will benefit from at least one megawatt of electricity, generated from solar panels and wind turbines, and supporting the growth of private industries.

In Kabul, UNOPS will conduct a feasibility study on the rehabilitation of a waste water to biogas treatment plant, in order to address environmental and health issues onset from rapid urbanization in the capital.

Osmani appreciated Japan and UNOPS and highlighted the importance of the project calling renewable energy as a strategic priority for the Afghan govement in meeting the goal of generating 95 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2032.

“We hope these two projects incorporating iovative approach involving the private sector and environmental friendly solutions will produce successful and sustainable outcomes to bring much-needed-investment and funding for Afghanistan in the future.”

Japan has been assisting Afghanistan’s nation-building efforts in various fields including security, education, health, culture, humanitarian assistance, agriculture, infrastructure and its capacity development. The cumulative Japanese assistance to Afghanistan sine 2001 amounts to USD 6.131 billion.

On February 8 this year, Japan agreed to fund a further US $25 million worth of projects, which will be implemented by UNOPS across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

pr/ma