NATO Supporters Pledge $200MN On Electricity For ANDSF
KABUL: (Middle East Press) NATO associates have committed to contribute some $200 million on electricity power for the Afghan security forces, Resolute Support’s Deputy Chief of Staff-Security Assistance in Afghanistan Major General Todd Semonite announced on Thursday.
“The contribution will enable ANDSF (Afghan National Defense Security Forces) to shift from expensive, unreliable diesel-generated fuel, to the more cost-effective electric grid.” Semonite said.
The contribution which is due to be spent on electricity lines imported from Turkmenistan, is also seen as a measure to counter corruption that has been reported in the procurement process of fuel for electricity generation.
Currently almost 90 percent of Afghan Security Forces’ facilities rely on diesel generators at a cost of $327 million USD annually.
According to Semonite, the increased capacity provided by this contribution will allow these facilities to move across to the grid, which theoretically will cut the power budget by more than 50 percent – from 53 cents to 22 cents per kilowatt hour.
Calling the contribution part of long-term commitment for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, the Canadian ambassador in Kabul, said one of the advantages of the new project is that it would reduce corruption fuel contracts for the Afghan forces.
Meanwhile, Michael Mckinley, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, said that the U.S.’s role in the project was to support and protect the contribution.
Highlighting the program’s advantages, Masoom Stanekzai, Afghanistan’s acting defense minister, appreciated NATO partners for the contribution.
The transition is expected to take place over the next five years.
