Afghanistan Imports Over 80% of Its Electricity Amid Untapped Solar Potential

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced that more than 80% of Afghanistan’s electricity is imported from other countries, costing approximately 280 million dollars annually. Despite limited investment, the country has the capacity to generate over 220 gigawatts of solar power, which remains largely untapped.

In a report published on Thursday, November 4, the UNDP added that since 2021, its clean energy projects have served more than 5.5 million Afghan citizens. However, vast areas of Afghanistan still lack access to reliable and sustainable electricity.

The UN emphasizes the need for broad and joint cooperation among organizations and governments to address Afghanistan’s electricity shortage, stating that no single organization can fill this significant gap alone. This concerning situation comes as Afghanistan faces numerous economic and structural challenges in the energy sector, and continued reliance on imported electricity imposes heavy economic costs on the people and the country’s economy.