Kabul to Host Major Investment Conference in Power Sector

DID Press: Kabul is set to host a major investment conference in the electricity sector, an event that will bring together domestic and regional investors to explore opportunities, challenges, and solutions for energy development in Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Electricity Authority (Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat – DABS) announced that the conference will be held soon with participation from government institutions, domestic investors, and regional stakeholders. The primary focus of the event will be on examining opportunities, challenges, and strategies for developing the country’s electricity industry.

The conference comes as Iran recently announced a 70 percent reduction in electricity exports to Afghanistan, a move Iranian Tavanir officials attributed to prioritizing domestic energy needs.

Amid declining electricity imports, the caretaker government has launched efforts to expand domestic power generation capacity. Notably, a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Turkish and local companies to produce 160 megawatts of electricity from coal in Baghlan province.

In addition, a recent agreement has been signed between Afghanistan authorities and the government of Uzbekistan for the transfer of 1,000 megawatts of electricity to Afghanistan via a 500-kilovolt transmission line. The project will include the construction of a transmission line and three substations.

Meanwhile, significant investments in renewable energy are also taking shape. Reports indicate that a $10 billion project by Azizi Group has been commenced in Herat province, aimed at harnessing the region’s wind, solar, and hydropower potential for electricity production.

In a related development, Abdul Bari Omar, head of DABS, recently signed a $41 million contract with private companies to strengthen electricity infrastructure in Herat province.