Solar Energy: Reducing Afghanistan’s Reliance on Imported Power
Afghanistan, as one of the countries with strong sunlight in the region, has significant potential for producing solar energy—a capacity for which efforts to utilize it have recently increased.
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) has announced that it has signed contracts for 15 solar power generation projects with a total capacity of more than 700 megawatts.
According to the company, nearly 70 megawatts of solar power are currently active in different parts of the country.
Mohammad Sadiq Haqparast, spokesperson for DABS, added: “Currently, nearly 70 megawatts of electricity generated from solar sources is active in the country, and based on the signed contracts, it is expected that this capacity will reach 700 megawatts within the next two years.”
Meanwhile, a number of economic experts consider the development of solar energy vital for the country’s future.
They emphasize that investment in this sector could reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on imported electricity and help provide sustainable energy to remote areas.
Abdul Shukor Hadawal, an economic analyst, said: “Unfortunately, not much investment has been made in this sector so far. If more investment is made in solar power, not only traders will benefit from it, but ordinary people will also benefit from electricity, and it can also be used for water extraction.”
Abdul Nasir Reshtia, another economic analyst, added: “Afghanistan has about 300 sunny days a year, which gives it strong potential for energy production. Currently, our country unfortunately imports electricity worth millions of dollars from abroad. If more investment is made in this sector and we can utilize solar energy, it could produce stable electricity for the people.”
Due to having more than 300 sunny days per year and a high level of solar radiation, Afghanistan is considered one of the solar energy–rich countries in the region. According to estimates, the country’s potential capacity for solar power generation reaches around 220,000 megawatts.
