BAMYAN CITY - More than 2,500 families on Wednesday extended solar power in central Bamyan province amid complaints the charges exceed those in other provinces.
Governor Tahir Zuhair and Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat’s (DABS) central zone director Ghulam Haider Sadiqi inaugurated the 2.1 megawatt solar power plant in Bamyan City, the provincial capital.
The project that cost $1.2 million donated by the Norwegian Embassy in Kabul lights homes of 2,500 families in Zargaran, Jagra Khail and Daudi areas.
However, some consumers complained the charges were high as compared to other provinces.
The construction of a power tower, extension of electricity cables to people’s homes and the overall construction of the network cost $1.2 million.
The main power panels activated two years ago by the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of New Zealand cost $14 million, benefiting 4,000 families so far.
Bamyan Electricity Director Eng. Murtaza Sarmad told Pajhwok Afghan News 60 percent of Bamyan residents had so far benefited from the solar power project and the service would be extended to the remaining families soon.
He said families were charged 15 afghanis per kilowatt and commercial buildings 45 afghanis.
However, Mohammad Yusuf, head of Zargaran Council, said the electricity price was too high and should be reduced like in other provinces.
“It is injustice when the price of a kilowatt in Kabul is four to five afghanis while the price of the same in Bamyan is three times high,” he said.
But DABS Director Ghulam Haidar Sadiqi said solar power had several losses including damages to batteries and solar panels, therefore the charges were high. The rates had been fixed by the provincial committee, he said.
Sadiqi said the charges would fall once electricity from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reached Bamyan.
Governor Tahir Zuhair expressed gratitude over the power extension and said, “It is electricity that enables people to access new facilities. It plays a key role in improving people’s economy.”
Bamyan residents had previously protested against the lack of electricity and installed a lantern lamp at the city’s square. (Pajhwok)