DATES: June 2008 - November 2011

PARTNERS: Louis Berger Group/Black & Veatch (LBG/B&V)

 

The objective of this USAID-funded project is to manage an engineering, procurement, and construction contract to install a National Load Control Center (NLCC) for the North East Power System (NEPS). The ultimate goal of NEPS is to provide reliable and affordable energy from northern Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to Kabul and northeastern Afghanistan. More energy is needed for industrial, commercial, and residential users to power economic growth and to improve the quality of life. The NLCC project is one component of NEPS, which includes a series of ongoing projects to interconnect the electricity grids in northeastern Afghanistan. The NLCC system will be equipped with a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and related equipment needed to electronically monitor and control NEPS generation and transmission to enhance the reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of operations. Upon completion of this project, DABS will be able to monitor data, control the various electricity elements and manage automatic load shedding within the substations and power stations connected to NEPS. The testing and commissioning is completed on the SCADA equipment that connects 17 substations to the NLCC. A recent dedication ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah, and Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) officials. In early September, USAID began training MEW staff for the Operations and Maintenance of the new facility and equipment.