First wind farm in Afghanistan

Panjsher: A New Zealand company is behind the first wind farm to be set up in Afghanistan in the Panjsher province.

The wind farm, which is an eco-friendly hybrid power generation and distribution system, will generate the main source of power for the Panjsher Government Compound and the immediate surrounding areas.

The project began in April 2007, and local people constructed it under the supervision of contractors from Empower Consultants Ltd, from Wellington and the Panjsher Provincial Reconstruction Team.

It is already providing electricity to power running water, hot water and a septic system.

Much of the New Zealand oversight was provided by New Zealand engineer Tony Woods, 41, who successfully tendered for the windfarm.

Captain Jason Aftanas, chief engineer said the wind farm was significant.

'It offers an opportunity to study the feasibility of constructing larger megawatt wind turbines and serve as a `working laboratory’ for long-term study on wind power potential.'