Known locally as RESAP, the renewable energy works to improve the standard of living of Afghan people, promote sustainable small-scale businesses, and complement other development efforts by developing and promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable energy technologies.
In 1995 RESAP began its involvement with micro-hydropower. The introduction of micro-hydropower technology has proven to be economically sustainable because trained workshops are selling and installing equipment without any subsidy to private customers. RESAP helps communities to build their own hydropower plant and provides equipment and supplies that equals about 50% subsidy. Some hydropower sites with difficult or unique construction needs required more than 50% subsidy.
The RESAP project designs, builds, and installs electricity-producing turbines in rural areas. In addition, the project works to help establish the local micro-hydropower industry. RESAP’s Kabul workshop is used as a laboratory to develop and test new micro-hydropower equipment and techniques which are then passed on to the local industry. The project is also involved in giving micro-hydropower training to both private contractors and government workers. Training is becoming more important because much micro-hydropower activity will be outside of RESAP’s direct control as we hand more and more work off to local contractors.
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