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POWERGRID lights up Afghanistan, establishes Chimtala

Substation in Kabul

New Delhi, May 27, 2009

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) a Government of India enterprise under Ministry of Power, has energised the Chimtala Substation in the Afghan capital of Kabul.   His Excellency Hameed Karzai, the president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan inaugurated the Substation on 18th May, 2009 in the presence of I. C. P. Keshari, Joint Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Power, S. K. Chaturvedi, CMD, POWERGRID and senior officials of Afghanistan government.

The Chimtala Sub-station is the terminal substation of the NEPS transmission system in Afghanistan which is importing power from Uzbekistan to Kabul. The Kabul to Pul-e-Khumri transmission system comprising 202 kms. of 220 kV D/C transmission line and the Chimtala Sub-station is being funded by Government of India and is implemented by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. This project has been implemented well in time and at an approximate cost of Rs.405 Crore against the estimated cost of Rs.478 Crore.

Subsequent to the establishment of the Chimtala Sub-station, the power flow to Kabul has been established and it is receiving power from the neighboring country of Uzbekistan. The Sub-station is being regarded a milestone in the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The Kabul Pul- e- Khumri Transmission Line is passing through the mountains with the high altitude of 3800 m above sea level where the area is under snow cover for almost eight months a year. POWERGRID has installed the line well within the time schedule in spite of rough weather and insurgency situation in Afghanistan.

The transportation of the materials of the Sub-station was a major challenge as the normal transport route was not conducive for transportation heavy materials like 80 MT transformers. The heaviest Air craft has been put to service for air lifting the transformers which has been done for the first time in the history..

Against all the odds, POWERGRID’s determination to achieve the goal of “Light Kabul” has been successfully achieved on 18th May, 2009.

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