Kabul to explore renewable energy options KABUL: An Afghan minister, during his visit to the United States, has pledged to complete a national assessment of the country’s renewable energy capabilities and take effective measures to protect the environment. Minister of Energy and Water Ismail Khan, addressing an international conference, also announced that electricity provided by renewable energy would reach at least 60 per cent of Afghanistan’s rural population by 2018. He was attending a three-day Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) in Washington, DC along with National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) Director-General Prince Mostapha Zaher. Bringing together 6,000 participants, including 86 ministers from over 100 countries, the conference concluded the other day. On behalf of NEPA, Prince Zaher promised to improve air quality in Kabul between 10-12 per cent by the year 2012. We recognise that energy solutions are needed urgently in order to further economic growth and stabilise security in Afghanistan, the minister told the participants, according to a statement from the Afghan embassy in Washington. Ismail Khan said: We see renewable energy options including solar and wind-produced energy as critical to help us reach these goals while keeping our environment clean. He called upon the participants to provide Afghanistan with cost-effective technology to support the goals of its National Development Strategy. For his part, Prince Zaher observed: The environment is our greatest asset. Without meeting adequate standards in air quality and sanitation, our population will not remain healthy enough to enjoy the benefits of having access to electricity." Khan and Zaher were joined by a delegation of six officials from the Ministry of Energy & Water, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Environmental Protection Agency. During the visit, they met US government and multilateral officials including Secretary of Energy Dr. Samuel Bodman, USAID Deputy Administrator Jim Kundor, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and World Bank Vice-President Praful Patel. Attended by President George W. Bush and four members of his cabinet, WIREC goals included advancing energy security, climate change, air quality, and sustainable development goals such as agriculture and rural development, demonstrating global leadership in renewable energy research, policy development, technology innovation, commercialisation and deployment and fostering industry-government collaboration to meet global energy challenges. "In partnership with the international community, the Ministry of Energy & Water and the National Environmental Protection Agency hope to apply cutting edge solar and wind technology to address environmental concerns in one of the worlds poorest nations," the press release said | 
