Electricity Access and Socio-Economic Baseline Survey for Energy Infrastructure Activities

The project was implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and was designed to capture the benefits and effects of increased electricity access on households, clinics, schools, and businesses. The baseline study was conducted in two 20-kilometer zones of influence surrounding the sub-station in [Redacted] and [Redacted]. The research question aimed to investigate the current state of access to electricity, barriers to access, and presence of disproportionate levels of access. The study used a mixed methods approach, collecting primary data from households, clinics, schools, and businesses through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Additional secondary analysis was conducted using Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data. The results of the baseline study showed that 26 percent of the sample was connected to DABS electricity. When a village had access to DABS electricity, up to 80 percent of households connected to on-grid power. This suggests that when DABS provided a village access to on-grid electricity, households acquired services. The primary constraint to adoption of on-grid electricity appeared to be a lack of supply; there were delays in connectivity due to limited/absent infrastructure to connect sub-station transmission lines to step-down transformers to deliver electricity to homes. The study also found that the primary constraint to adoption of on-grid electricity was a lack of supply, with delays in connectivity due to limited/absent infrastructure. The results also showed that households connected to DABS electricity had higher levels of socio-economic development, including higher household income, education, and health outcomes. The baseline study identified several key findings, including: * 26 percent of the sample was connected to DABS electricity * When a village had access to DABS electricity, up to 80 percent of households connected to on-grid power * The primary constraint to adoption of on-grid electricity was a lack of supply * Households connected to DABS electricity had higher levels of socio-economic development The study also made several recommendations, including: * Implementation of a midline/endline to measure impact * Refinement of the assumptions in the theory of change * Increased participation by DABS in data collection/data sharing The baseline study provides a critical starting point for evaluating the impact of the PTEC project on socio-economic development in Afghanistan. The study's findings and recommendations will inform the design and implementation of future interventions aimed at increasing access to electricity and promoting socio-economic development in the country.