Energy in Afghanistan

The majority of electricity in Afghanistan is imported.
The Naghlu Dam is one of the largest dams in Afghanistan, which provides some electricity to Kabul Province, Nangarhar Province and Kapisa Province.
Aerial photography of Kandahar at night in 2011

Energy in Afghanistan is provided by hydropower followed by fossil fuel and solar power.[1] Currently, less than 50% of Afghanistan's population has access to electricity.[2] This covers the major cities in the country. Many rural areas do not have access to adequate electricity but this should change after the major CASA-1000 project is completed.[3]

Afghanistan currently generates around 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity from its several hydroelectric plants as well as using fossil fuel and solar panels.[1] Over 720 MW more is imported from neighboring Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.[4]

Due to the large influx of expats from neighboring Pakistan and Iran, Afghanistan may require as much as 7,000 MW of electricity in the coming years.[5] The Afghan National Development Strategy has identified alternative energy, such as wind and solar energy, as a high value power source to develop.[6][7] As a result, a number of solar and wind farms have been established,[8][9] with more currently under development.[10][11][12][13]

  1. ^ a b "Afghanistan". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Afghanistan Annually Pays $280M for Imported Power was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference TOLO-179486 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Afghanistan's Current Power Need Is 1,500 Megawatts: MoEW". TOLOnews. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  5. ^ "Naghlo Dam Turbines Up And Running". TOLOnews. April 12, 2018. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference ADB to provide $44.76m for construction of solar power plant was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference tvnews1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference First-ever Kabul solar energy plant goes functional was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference First-ever solar-wind power plant goes functional in Herat was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference TOLO-184105 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Solar Power Plants To Be Inaugurated In Kabul, Kandahar was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Eastern Provinces To Get Solar Energy Boost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Solar power in Afghanistan to get $44.76 million boost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).