The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has officially approved the country’s five-year electricity development plan.
Kabul 24: The program, previously endorsed by the Economic Commission under Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, aims to significantly reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on imported power and achieve progressive energy self-sufficiency.
The comprehensive plan focuses on utilizing domestic energy resources, including hydropower, solar, wind, and coal. It calls for the implementation of 25 major power generation projects from internal sources.
Key components of the plan include: Completion of 13 semi-finished power generation projects and the launch of 23 new ones (totaling 25 generation projects).
Completion of 21 ongoing substation projects and construction of 21 new substations.
Execution of 34 additional development projects covering transmission lines, distribution networks, and expanded rural electrification.
Experts believe successful implementation of this program will play a vital role in Afghanistan’s economic growth. Reliable electricity infrastructure is expected to boost industrial development, stimulate mining and agricultural sectors, and create numerous job opportunities for Afghan youth.
Economic analyst Abdul Shakoor Hedewal commented: “If this five-year plan is fully implemented, there is no doubt that Afghanistan can achieve self-sufficiency in electricity within the next five years.
This will prevent the outflow of millions of afghanis spent on importing power from neighboring countries and redirect those funds toward domestic investment.”Despite possessing abundant natural resources suitable for energy production, Afghanistan currently imports around 80% of its electricity needs, primarily from Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This heavy reliance imposes a massive financial burden on the national budget and threatens energy security.
The five-year plan seeks to reverse this situation by prioritizing local resource development. Officials emphasize that full execution could not only meet domestic demand but also position Afghanistan as a potential electricity exporter in the long term.
The success of the program will depend on timely financing, effective project management, and coordination among relevant institutions. If challenges are properly addressed, Afghanistan will take a significant step toward energy independence — a crucial milestone for broader economic development and stability in the country.
