Bayat Energy Is Launching A 200 Megawatt Power Generation Project In Sheberghan—And Leading The Drive To Provide Affordable, Reliable Electric Power To All Afghans

When Afghan Wireless (AWCC) founded our nation’s mobile communications industry, we did so with one mission in mind: we were determined to provide all Afghans with reliable and affordable mobile telephone service, so that they could connect with one another—and to the wider world.

Now, Bayat Energy (www.bayat-energy.com),  is using this same sense of dedication and determination, as it begins its mission to rebuild Afghanistan’s domestic power production industry—and provide all Afghans with reliable and affordable electric power.

Last October, Bayat Power—a division of Bayat Energy—signed an agreement with the Government of Afghanistan to build Bayat-1, a three phase project, that will—upon completion—produce over 200 Megawatts of electricity, powered by Afghanistan’s plentiful reserves of natural gas. Located in Sheberghan, Jawzjan Province—at the very center of Afghanistan’s robust hydrocarbon resources—Phase One of Bayat-1 is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2017. Phase One of Bayat-1 will generate 52 megawatts of power, which is enough electricity to serve more than 50,000 homes.

When all three phases of Bayat-1 are completed, the plant will generate over 200 Megawatts of power, which is enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 200,000 homes and businesses. The power generated from Bayat-1 will flow through Afghanistan’s national transmission grid, so it can be accessed in every part of our country.

Bayat-1—an Afghan owned power plant that will use Afghan natural gas to generate electricity on behalf of Afghans—will also help increase our nation’s energy security and economic security as well. Every nation relies on electricity to build up and expand their economies, and Afghanistan is no exception. Regular and reliable access to power means that factories that now stand idle will have the electricity they need to start producing goods—and employing people. Access to power will create thousands of new jobs, because our farmers, business people and entrepreneurs will have the capacity to produce goods and services from their farms, stores and offices.

Right now, Afghanistan generates about 600 Megawatts of power, which is far less than our country needs to provide reliable electricity and foster meaningful economic development. The electricity that we don’t produce domestically, has to be imported from neighboring countries. Currently, Afghanistan imports 77 percent of its electricity. We purchase that power using dollars, which is a significant drain on our nation’s foreign reserves. Even with the assistance of imported electricity, power shortages are still common throughout our country.

Launching Bayat-1—Afghanistan’s first completely new gas power plant in almost forty years—will reduce our country’s dependence on imported electricity, while at the same time, encourage the development of a domestic power generation industry, which will help Afghanistan achieve energy independence.  Just as AWCC pioneered our nation’s robust cellular telephony industry that today counts five (5) national operators and provides countless jobs, we believe that the successful launch of Bayat-1 will pave the way for a new generation of Afghan based and Afghan owned power plants. Increased power generation will generate more economic growth and additional opportunities for Afghans to succeed.

Access to reliable and affordable electricity—just like having access to reliable and affordable mobile communications—forms part of the essential foundation we need to build an economically prosperous Afghanistan. The debut of Bayat-1—an Afghan-owned power plant that will use Afghanistan’s natural gas to produce electricity for Afghans—is the latest example of The Bayat Group’s commitment to be of service to you, and our country. The Bayat Group’s promise to you, our mission and our meaning—remains unchanged: our Company will always strive to help you build a better life, by creating the new industries, jobs and opportunities which will benefit the entire nation.

Until next time,

Ehsan

Dr. Ehsanollah Bayat

Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Founder and CEO, Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC)

Founder and CEO, Ariana Television and Radio (ATN)

Founder, Bayat Foundation