Bayat Company Invests $250m in Construction of Power Plant in Jawzjan

The Government of Afghanistan and the Bayat Power Group (BPG) signed a contract worth $250 million for generating 192MWs of electricity using natural gas reserves in northern Jawzjan province on Monday at the Presidential Palace.

The contract was signed between the Energy and Water Minister Ali Ahmad Usmai on behalf of Afghan government and Engineer Ehsanullah Bayat, the Chairman of Bayat Group of Companies at Kabul attended by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

According to the officials the project would be completed in three phases. In the first phase 50MW of power would be produced, in the second phase 100MW and in the last phase it is expected to produce 192MW of power.

“Based on this contract, a major project for generating electricity from natural gas is going to be constructed in the city of Sheberghan, the capital of the historical province of Jawzjan,” Eng. Ehsanullah Bayat, the Chairman of Bayat Group said,” the initial productivity capacity of this project is 52MW which will be implemented in a period of 4 up to 6 months in normal situation after the final contract signed with the Ministry of Energy and Water and Breshna Company.”

Mr. Bayat also added that this is the first project in its kind in Afghanistan’s history which will help the country toward energy independence.

At the same time, Energy and Water Minister Hakimi said according to the MoU signed the Company is responsible to provide the latest and newest technology for producing of electricity using the natural gas in a period of three months and provide electricity to Breshna Company with a suitable price.

The proposal could be evaluated by the authorities concerned, the minister added.

In the first phase of the project about $14 million would be added to the Government’s treasury and in the next stages the Government revenue would increase from $50 million to $100 million.

In addition, the project will create 200 direct job opportunities to Afghans and the number will get higher as the project expands for a period of 20 years.

Afghan lawmakers and Afghans welcome signing of the project and declaring it as an important step towards boosting economy and best alternative against the imported electricity from neighboring countries.

Reported by: Ali Asghari