NRECA International Ltd. was sub-contracted by Chemonics International to provide design and construction supervision assistance for the electrification component of the USAID-financed Alternative Development Program/South in Afghanistan. At the outset of the project, the project design focused on expansion of electric service to rural villages in Helmand Province, a focus that was changed in 2006 to improving electric service quality to Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand.

The project team began by preparing a feasibility study for the project. This was followed by developing a preliminary GIS-based design for the new distribution system, together with design of the rehabilitation and expansion of the Lashkar Gah substation. Procurement of the materials and power transformers is nearing completion, while procurement of line materials and distribution transformers will be completed in July-August of this year.

The project aims to reduce overall losses by 50% with the repair and refurbishment of the substation and distribution system. This will result in significant savings in fuel consumption and increases in service quality and reliability.

In addition to working with Chemonics, NRECA. is partnering with DABM, the Afghan National Power Utility and electric system operator in Helmand. To learn more about ADP/S, please visit the Program’s website at www.adp-af.com

NRECA International to Assist in Rehabilitation of Afghanistan’s Infrastructure

NRECA International is part of the winning consortium for the Afghanistan Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program financed by USAID. This Program was awarded to the prime contractors, the Louis Berger Group and Black & Veatch, as an Indefinite Quantity Contract with a total ceiling value of $1.4 billion.