UN Warns Afghanistan’s Electricity Dependence Threatens Energy Security

DID Press: UN has raised concerns over Afghanistan’s slow progress in energy infrastructure, warning that the country remains heavily dependent on imported electricity and urgently needs investment in renewable energy sources.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said Afghanistan continues to import the majority of its electricity needs, with around 80% of its power supply coming from neighboring countries.

According to the report, more than 90% of imported electricity is supplied by Central Asian states and Iran. It also estimates that only 35% to 40% of the population has access to the national electricity grid, leaving large parts of the country—particularly rural areas—without stable power supply.

UNDP expressed concern over the slow implementation of energy projects in Afghanistan and stressed the need for greater investment in domestic electricity generation infrastructure.

The agency said expanding renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power could reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on imported electricity and help move the country toward energy self-sufficiency.

It also noted that increased investment in the energy sector could not only meet domestic demand but potentially enable Afghanistan to export electricity in the long term, supporting broader economic growth.