Asian Development Bank (ADB) awarded DV with an assignment for preparation of a project pre-design report including Social & Environmental Assessment and Financial and Economic Studies for an approximately 200 km 220 kV double circuit overhead transmission line [OHL] from Kabul (Arghundy). to Jalalabad.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) awarded DV with an assignment for preparation of a project pre-design report including Social & Environmental Assessment and Financial and Economic Studies for an approximately 200 km 220 kV double circuit overhead transmission line [OHL] from Kabul (Arghundy). to Jalalabad. Preparation of bid document preparation will not be included in the scope of services. The OHL route shall follow the new road from Kabul to Jalalabad. Starting point of the OHL is the new 500 / 220kV Arghandy substation. It is assumed, that a fully equipped bay is available at this substation to connect the OHL.

Prepare an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report presenting the environmental impacts and mitigation measures of the proposed project consistent with the MFF Environmental Assessment Review Framework (EARF), following ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS, 2009) and Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) requirements and propose detailed implementation arrangements in compliance with the SPS and national legal policies on environmental safeguard issues;

New Substations to be connected to the new 220kV OHL include Shaikh Mesri Substation 220/20kV. DABS will provide information on the required switchgear in the substation. Otherwise, the substations will be designed as follows: Only one of the two circuits of the OHL will be connected to the substation. The 220kV, 110kV and 20kV switchgear of the substation will be air insulated. Space will be provided for two 220/110 kV, 50 MVA transformers as well as two 110/20 kV, 16 MVA transformers. The substation will be initially equipped with only one transformer for each voltage level.

Prepare a conceptual design for substation and transmission line. The substation design should follow the same technical standards as per recently approved ADB projects in Afghanistan in terms of switchgear, protection, SCADA, and communication design established for other recent projects. The transmission line should follow preparation of engineering designs and general technical specification of transmission lines, including towers, conductors, insulators, ground wires, etc. in accordance with relevant technical standards.

Conduct the financial and economic assessment of the project by preparing the financial and economic model Conduct an economic evaluation of the project taking into account economic costs and benefits (including carbon credits) following ADB’s Guidelines for the Economic Analysis of Projects (1997), Handbook on Economic Evaluation of Environmental Impacts; and Financial Management and Analysis of Projects (2005); Work closely with the team in the development of the financial model and corresponding analysis and evaluation.

Conduct preliminary studies for the integration of the new transmission line in the Afghan power system. Perform simulations needed for the support to line design; determination of thermal capacity, reactive compensation requirements, etc. Undertake steady state system analysis (load flow and short circuit) of the proposed integrated system to confirm technical parameters and to enhance system reliability. Use google maps/satellite maps and prepare appropriate route plans using software techniques. Prepare single line drawings for the substation as well as a layout plan.

Verify that any adverse environmental impacts are minimized by implementation of the mitigating measures and monitoring program as detailed in the environmental management plan (EMP) in the IEE.