Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the national power utility company in Afghanistan, has announced a significant decrease in electricity imports from Uzbekistan by 50% due to technical issues. This development has led to increased power outages in several provinces across Afghanistan, Ariana News reported on February 20.
Officials from DABS state that the reduction in electricity supplies has particularly impacted provinces such as Samangan, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Nangarhar, Laghman, Ghazni, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Paktia, and Khost. Hikmatullah Maiwandi, the spokesperson of DABS, highlighted that the technical problem originating in Uzbekistan has disrupted the electricity transmission route, causing widespread issues within Afghanistan.
This is not the first time Uzbekistan has faced technical difficulties impacting electricity exports to Afghanistan. Similar issues occurred last winter, leading to a reduction in electricity supplies. In response, Afghan officials have urged Uzbekistan to expedite the resolution of these technical challenges to mitigate the adverse effects on Afghan citizens.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), emphasized that advance payments have been made to Uzbekistan for electricity imports, and outstanding dues have been settled.
Energy in Afghanistan primarily relies on hydropower, followed by fossil fuels and solar energy sources. Presently, less than half of Afghanistan's population has access to electricity, mainly concentrated in urban areas. However, the completion of the major CASA-1000 project is expected to improve electricity access in rural regions.
The country currently generates approximately 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity through hydroelectric plants, fossil fuel combustion, and solar panels. Additionally, Afghanistan imports over 720 MW of electricity from neighboring Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan procures up to 450 MW of electricity from Uzbekistan. Negotiations for electricity supply commenced in 2006, culminating in the construction of a 442-kilometer high-voltage transmission line connecting Uzbekistan to Afghanistan by 2008. This transmission line traverses five Afghan provinces en route to the Uzbek border, integrating with Uzbekistan's electricity grid.
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