Indian Expertise Used for Re-Building Skills in Afghanistan

Photo Credit: V.M. Thakor, Nexant Inc.

USAID's South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy) program aims to leverage success in one country for the benefit of institutions in other countries of the region.

In the case of India and Afghanistan , the SARI/E program provides training and capacity building that draws on India 's experience in a broad range of fields such as diesel generator-set operations, vocational training and formation of rural electricity associations.

Approximately $50 million are needed annually to fuel and operate diesel generator units in Afghanistan. To lower this amount, SARI/Energy developed a unique public-private training partnership with Cummins, Inc., a U.S. diesel engine company with offices in Pune, India. Using the Cummins Training Center's fully equipped training facilities, 25 Afghan personnel were provided classroom and hands-on training in diesel generator-set operations, maintenance and performance improvements. Participants received certificates and have returned to Afghanistan to train others.

This training was part of a broader effort to assist Afghanistan's Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) revamp its ability to deliver electricity throughout the country. MEW's Vocational Training Center (VTC) is playing a key role in developing future generations of electricians and other technicians needed to keep the lights on and businesses running in Afghanistan. To help restore the VTC to its original capacity, SARI/Energy is drawing on the expertise of power utility training experts from India who will develop the curricula and train VTC trainers. This is helping to develop lasting working relationships between VTC and utility counterparts in India.