Embassy Outreach to Minister Khan of Energy and Water

UNCLAS KABUL 003278 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A DEPT PASS AID/ASIA SCAA E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG EAID PGOV AF SUBJECT: Embassy Outreach to Minister Khan of Energy and Water ¶1. Meeting with Afghan Water and Energy Minister Mohammed Ismail Khan October 13, Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs, Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne, highlighted two new initiatives. (Discussions of politics reported setpel.) The first was USAID's recent launch of a four-year, $83 million program to support the Afghan Government in designing and installing community-based renewable energy systems, such as micro-hydro, wind, or solar. The program will provide over 300 communities with renewable energy systems, particularly in the southern and eastern regions of the country. The second program is a new USAID $52 million program that will help the Afghan Government increase access to potable water, sanitation facilities and hygiene behavior. This program will benefit over 1,000 communities, also in the South and East. ¶2. Ambassador Wayne also conveyed the USG's interest to work with the Minister and his staff to identify and design three to five signature multipurpose (irrigation/small hydro) dams programs and noted the need to do survey various locations throughout the country as possible project sites. ¶3. In response, Minister Khan specifically requested assistance in a critical area of the North -- in Jawsjan Province -- which has not been able to find/develop a proper source of ground water. Noting approximately 100,000 people or more live in the area, Khan proposed building a 105 kilometer water transmission line to take in the Amu Darya River and bring it to the area. The Minister estimated that the initiative would cost approximately $15 million. The Minister agreed that Water and Energy Ministry staff and Mission infrastructure team experts should meet for follow-up discussions on this request. EIKENBERRY