Power availability is crucial for the development of Afghanistan. Officially, the access to power is around 7% of the population1 and at 18.50 to 19.25 kWh per capita, it is among the lowest in the world. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate the dilapidated, war-damaged power infrastructure. A diversified resource base, combined with sound implementation capacity is needed to cover the present and future power needs. The Norwegian Government plans to increase its efforts within the energy sector. At present two types of programs are supported; development of petroleum sector and renewable energy.
Norwegian contribution in developing the petroleum sector in Afghanistan
The Government of Afghanistan (GoA) requested in 2006 a long term assistance to develop the oil and gas resources in Afghanistan. The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gahr Store visited Kabul in January 2007 and discussed possible support. It was agreed that Norway would send experts from the Norwegian Oil for Deverlopment project to Afghanistan to assess whether it was feasible to establish a long term Norwegian support programme in the sector. In addition to the general assessment, the Norwegian team would assist the Ministry of Mines in amending the Afghan petroleum law and regulations.
A team of four has visited Afghanistan twice, in April and May 2007. The Norwegian support focuses in two areas; increasing the activity in the petroleum sector and increasing the capacity of the Ministry of Mines to regulate the petroleum sector. Assistance has also been given to the GoA of adjusting the Legal and Regulatory framework, which will secure the long term economic interest of GoA.
The continuing work is aimed at assisting the Afghan Ministry of Mines in launching a licensing round for oil and gas and give support in attracting international industrial investors to Northern parts of Afghanistan to secure the off take of the gas.
The capacity building component of the project will focus on developing the Ministry of Mines’ ability to ensure good governance in the sector and will include a technical, financial and environmental component. The governance agenda will focus on developing the Ministry’s ability to launch and manage tender rounds, issue licenses and ensure that the oil and gas companies operating in Afghanistan are in compliance with the hydrocarbon law and regulations. Particular attention will also be given to develop the capacity in the Ministry of Mines and Finance to manage the income and the environmental fallout from operations in the sector.
The Norwegian support programme is expected to be long term and is it recommended that adequate resources are deployed to ensure that it will have a lasting impact.
Solar electrification of a rural village in Bamiyan, by NRC. Photo: M. Dyrud
Norwegian support to small scale energy projects in rural areas
Renewable Energy gives both much needed energy supplies to rural villages in a combination with a positive environmental impact. The Norwegian government supports programmes of solar electrification of remote villages in addition to small scale hydroelectric plants combined with irrigation and drinking water facilities;
The Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is implementing solar electrification programs in several villages in two selected districts of Faryab province. The plan is to increase this to more districts within the timeframe of three years. The programs educate local men and women from the villages in becoming “barefoot-engineers” in order to be self sufficient of implementing and maintaining the solar panels.
The Norwegian Church Aid is also implementing solar electrification programs in the provinces of Daikundi and Uruzgan. As for the latter, due to increasing focus to the insecure southern areas in Afghanistan, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasises the importance of development programs in southern provinces such as Uruzgan. Based on this additional funds are agreed on for electrification programs by the NRC in the Uruzgan province.
The Aga Khan Foundation has established a micro hydro power project in Hazarat-e-Saeed. The Norwegian contribution will complete this project with transmission of electricity to villages in northern Afghanistan.
Other relevante documents:
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs