Gas Fired Feasibility Study

Sherberghan, Afghanistan

Project Background

The Government of Afghanistan plans to expand the availability of electric power in the Balkh Region of Northern Afghanistan. Currently the region is solely supplied by import power from Uzbekistan, however it is essential for the region to develop its own electric power resources, supplementing these resources with imports when needed. Among the wealth of natural resources in Afghanistan available for potential use, are the gas fields within the Balkh Region around the City of Sheberghan.

Efforts have been undertaken to determine the availability of gas supply and reserves for the development of a thermal power facility in Sheberghan, of approximately 50 MW. This could be available as early as November 2007, with potential to contribute to meeting demand growth in the north and in the Kabul Region depending on sizing and timing.

Project Outline

Maunsell is providing consultancy services for the project in two phases.  Phase one involves the preparation of feasibility study of the development, construction, acceptance, operation and maintenance of a gas fired thermal power facility inclusive of ancillary requirements at Sherbeghan.  This involves:

• Review of the existing studies and data for the available fuel supply and Northern Transmission Grid
• Defining the optimum size, location, design-configuration and cost of the proposed facility based on current and future gas supply and the supply/demand for electrical energy and capacity within the Northern Transmission Grid
• Specifying the cost of production from the facility and rationalise its development and potential for phased expansion
• Defining the cost and investment requirements for the development, operation and maintenance of the facility
• Developing a preliminary draft Invitation to Bid document, Criteria for Bid Award Selection and Bid control process.

In the second phase, Maunsell will finalise, release and manage the Invitation to Bid process under a bid award process which combines Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the facility through the first major overhaul period.