Central Highland Program : Energy saving solutions in rural Afghanistan
The project involves implementation of a Central Highlands Development Program for household energy efficiency, greenhouse construction and institutional engagement. The program supports rural communities in improving their agricultural practices, household’s energy performance during the winter season and development of the relations between agriculture and environment.
Initial situation
Afghanistan experiences cold and snowy winters with extreme temperature variations between night and day, reaching-20°C in winter. In the central highlands of Afghanistan, the population is largely rural; as a result, most of the population is dependent upon the primary sector. Livelihoods depend mainly on natural resource availability and management.
Solution
The overall objective of the project has been to increase living standards and quality of life of rural populations in mountainous areas through balanced rural development and preservation of natural resources. To provide a solution, the consortium developed a program to improve energy resilience of households and their living conditions in winter while limiting the depletion of natural capital.
Innovation
The program was widely adopted by households across all ethnicities and income groups because of its affordability, effectiveness and actual fuel saving potential, thereby pioneering passive solar technology in Afghanistan. In other words, the organization adopted a market based approach that is benefitting local SMEs and craftsmen.
• Implementation of a household energy efficiency program
• Preservation of natural resources
• Improving households resilience to low temperatures in winter
• Recorded 20 household savings in winter fuel consumption
• Can be replicated anywhere
