Afghan’s First New Gas-Based Power Plant In 40 Years Running

Bayat Power-1, Afghanistan’s first new gas-based power production plant in more than 40 years, has officially started commercial operations.

Located in Sherberghan, Afghanistan — the epicenter of the nation’s gas region — the power plant is owned and operated by Bayat Power, Afghanistan’s largest, Afghan-owned and operated power production company.

The plant incorporates a Siemens SGT-A45 mobile turbine and phase one of Bayat Power-1’s operations will generate up to 41 MW for Afghan homes and businesses. When all three phases of Bayat Power-1 are operational, the plant will generate more than 200 MW of electricity — enough to serve millions of Afghan residential and commercial clients.

Siemens said the SGT-A45 mobile unit was designed for the growing market of rapid power generation. It incorporates power density, economic efficiency, and flexible deployment capabilities, the company said. The SGT-A45 mobile unit is thus an especially good choice for customers with urgent power needs or in regions with a poorly developed infrastructure. The heart of the product is based on Siemens SGT-A65 components (formerly called the Industrial Trent 60 gas turbine), which utilizes Rolls-Royce Aero Engine technology. Each SGT-A45 mobile unit is fully tested and pre-commissioned in the factory, allowing for installation on site in less than two weeks, and minimizing the amount of construction work required on site.

Afghanistan currently imports the vast majority of its power demand from abroad. The Bayat Power Phase 1 project will enable the country to reduce its dependency on imports and make use of its local natural gas reserves. At the same time, local power production is a key requirement for economic growth, social development, and improved security.

“Starting today, Bayat Power-1 — our nation’s first new gas fired power plant in more than four decades — is providing affordable, reliable power to Afghan families and companies across the nation,” said Dr. Ehsan Bayat, the founder of Bayat Power and the Chairman of the Bayat Group.