Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KABUL3363
2007-10-02 12:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
AF: Update on Key USAID Power Projects
how-toVZCZCXRO4276 PP RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHPW RUEHYG DE RUEHBUL #3363/01 2751229 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 021229Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0708 INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC 0536 RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4226 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2984 RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 1616 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0277 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 1396 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 7135 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 0061 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 2116 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0083 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3760 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1955
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003363
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A (A/S BOUCHER, GASTRIGHT,DEUTSCH)
DEPT PASS AID/ANE, OPIC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR GERBER AND KLEIN
DEPT PASS OPIC FORZAHNISER
DEPT PASS TDA FOR STEIN AND GREENIP
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD, JICENT
NSC FOR JWOOD
TREASURY FOR ABAUKOL, BDAHL, AND MNUGENT
MANILA PLEASE PASS ADB/USED
PARIS FOR OECD/ENERGY ATTACHE
OSD FOR SHIVERS, SHINN
COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH
TOKYO ALSO FOR AID COUNSELOR AANENSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: ENRG EFIN EPET ETRD KPWR EAID PGOV AF
SUBJECT: AF: Update on Key USAID Power Projects
Sensitive but Unclassified
Reftels: A ) Kabul 3180 B) Kabul 3087
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003363
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A (A/S BOUCHER, GASTRIGHT,DEUTSCH)
DEPT PASS AID/ANE, OPIC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR GERBER AND KLEIN
DEPT PASS OPIC FORZAHNISER
DEPT PASS TDA FOR STEIN AND GREENIP
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD, JICENT
NSC FOR JWOOD
TREASURY FOR ABAUKOL, BDAHL, AND MNUGENT
MANILA PLEASE PASS ADB/USED
PARIS FOR OECD/ENERGY ATTACHE
OSD FOR SHIVERS, SHINN
COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH
TOKYO ALSO FOR AID COUNSELOR AANENSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: ENRG EFIN EPET ETRD KPWR EAID PGOV AF
SUBJECT: AF: Update on Key USAID Power Projects
Sensitive but Unclassified
Reftels: A ) Kabul 3180 B) Kabul 3087
1. (SBU) The following is a summary of the current state of key
ongoing USAID projects in the Afghan Energy Sector. In-depth
reporting on the various projects mentioned will be forthcoming in
the near future.
2. (SBU) 100 MW POWER PLANT FOR KABUL - (Reftel A) On September 23,
2007, project contractor LBG/B&V formally took possession of the
site and began preparations for demining and surveying. Delivery of
the first set of gensets (36 MW) is expected in May of 2008. A
second delivery will follow soon after and both sets are expected to
be installed and operational by January 2009, delivering 72 MW of
power into the Kabul power grid. One potential problem remains. A
group of nomads living near the project site has been ordered to
depart the area earlier than usual to move to their winter camping
grounds. They have done so, but it remains to be seen if they will
heed the government's warning not to return to the site in the
springtime. We have been assured of the government's assistance
should this eventuality occur.
3. (SBU) NORTH EAST POWER SYSTEM (NEPS) - There have been several
developments. The Government of India (GOI) is considering
expanding the scope of its assistance to include the funding and
construction of two sub-stations on the NEPS line in Doshi and
Charikar. Approximate cost is USD 13 million. These substations
would reinforce the energy flow between Pul-e-Khumri (where all
three branch NEPS lines meet) and Kabul.
4. (SBU) At a recent meeting of the Interministerial Committee on
Energy (ICE),Minister of Energy and Water Ismail Khan announced
that the IRoA has allocated USD 100 million for the upgrading of the
Kabul electricity distribution system. It is desirable to have
maximum upgrades to the Kabul system in place by early 2009, when
initial NEPS power is expected to flow into the system.
5. (SBU) REHABILITATION OF THE KAJAKI DAM - Due to continuing
instability in the immediate area, the project is now 15 months
behind schedule. Materials for rehabilitation of the existing
turbines have arrived in country and will be transported to the site
once the security situation allow. Despite discussions with local
tribal chiefs resulting in an agreement to provide a secure window
of time for trucks to carry materials to the Kajaki site, the
shipment did not occur.
6. (SBU) SHEBERGHAN GAS FIELD REHABILITATION PROJECT (Reftel B) -
The tender to rehabilitate a number of gas wells for the proposed
Sheberghan power plant closed September 12. Two bids were received.
USAID contractor LBG/B&V is currently reviewing the submissions and
a result is expected by the end of the first week in October.
KABUL 00003363 002 OF 002
Wood
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A (A/S BOUCHER, GASTRIGHT,DEUTSCH)
DEPT PASS AID/ANE, OPIC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR GERBER AND KLEIN
DEPT PASS OPIC FORZAHNISER
DEPT PASS TDA FOR STEIN AND GREENIP
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD, JICENT
NSC FOR JWOOD
TREASURY FOR ABAUKOL, BDAHL, AND MNUGENT
MANILA PLEASE PASS ADB/USED
PARIS FOR OECD/ENERGY ATTACHE
OSD FOR SHIVERS, SHINN
COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH
TOKYO ALSO FOR AID COUNSELOR AANENSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: ENRG EFIN EPET ETRD KPWR EAID PGOV AF
SUBJECT: AF: Update on Key USAID Power Projects
Sensitive but Unclassified
Reftels: A ) Kabul 3180 B) Kabul 3087
1. (SBU) The following is a summary of the current state of key
ongoing USAID projects in the Afghan Energy Sector. In-depth
reporting on the various projects mentioned will be forthcoming in
the near future.
2. (SBU) 100 MW POWER PLANT FOR KABUL - (Reftel A) On September 23,
2007, project contractor LBG/B&V formally took possession of the
site and began preparations for demining and surveying. Delivery of
the first set of gensets (36 MW) is expected in May of 2008. A
second delivery will follow soon after and both sets are expected to
be installed and operational by January 2009, delivering 72 MW of
power into the Kabul power grid. One potential problem remains. A
group of nomads living near the project site has been ordered to
depart the area earlier than usual to move to their winter camping
grounds. They have done so, but it remains to be seen if they will
heed the government's warning not to return to the site in the
springtime. We have been assured of the government's assistance
should this eventuality occur.
3. (SBU) NORTH EAST POWER SYSTEM (NEPS) - There have been several
developments. The Government of India (GOI) is considering
expanding the scope of its assistance to include the funding and
construction of two sub-stations on the NEPS line in Doshi and
Charikar. Approximate cost is USD 13 million. These substations
would reinforce the energy flow between Pul-e-Khumri (where all
three branch NEPS lines meet) and Kabul.
4. (SBU) At a recent meeting of the Interministerial Committee on
Energy (ICE),Minister of Energy and Water Ismail Khan announced
that the IRoA has allocated USD 100 million for the upgrading of the
Kabul electricity distribution system. It is desirable to have
maximum upgrades to the Kabul system in place by early 2009, when
initial NEPS power is expected to flow into the system.
5. (SBU) REHABILITATION OF THE KAJAKI DAM - Due to continuing
instability in the immediate area, the project is now 15 months
behind schedule. Materials for rehabilitation of the existing
turbines have arrived in country and will be transported to the site
once the security situation allow. Despite discussions with local
tribal chiefs resulting in an agreement to provide a secure window
of time for trucks to carry materials to the Kajaki site, the
shipment did not occur.
6. (SBU) SHEBERGHAN GAS FIELD REHABILITATION PROJECT (Reftel B) -
The tender to rehabilitate a number of gas wells for the proposed
Sheberghan power plant closed September 12. Two bids were received.
USAID contractor LBG/B&V is currently reviewing the submissions and
a result is expected by the end of the first week in October.
KABUL 00003363 002 OF 002
Wood