MANILA, Jan. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday said that it would help Afghanistan develop solar energy technologies in isolated rural areas, through a technical assistance (TA) grant approved for 750,000 US dollars.

    The ADB said in a statement that the TA will demonstrate how solar energy could be used to enhance the quality of life for low-income communities living in remote villages with no prospects forgrid electricity, and how a community-based approach could lead tothe success of such programs.

    According to the ADB, the solar radiation in Afghanistan averages about 6.5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day, and the sky is sunny for about 300 days a year.

    "The potential for solar energy development is huge, not only generating electricity but also for water pumping for water supplyand small scale irrigation, provision of potable water, hot water for homes, hospitals and other buildings," says Ali Azimi, an ADB Senior Environment Specialist and mission leader for the project.

    "Solar energy could also contribute significantly to progress in education, health, agriculture and other income generating activities to reduce poverty," he said.

    More than 80 percent of the population live in Afghanistan rural areas and depend on traditional fuels for cooking and water heating, and kerosene for lighting, which have an adverse impact on forests and watersheds.

    Most of Afghanistan's 25 million people have no access to modern forms of energy, such as electricity, gas and liquid fuels.

    The ADB said that the lighting provided by solar energy could be used in the running of literacy and other courses in the evenings that would benefit children and adults working in the fields during the day.

    Solar-powered pumps would provide irrigation for agricultural production, in which 85 percent of Afghans are engaged.

    "The project will serve as a valuable demonstration of the roleof renewable energy as a vital means for reducing poverty and creating sustainable livelihood in low-income, remote communities across the country," Azimi added. Enditem