Afghanistan launches 40-megawatt solar power project in Logar to tackle energy shortage

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on Thursday officially launched construction of a 40-megawatt solar power generation project in Mohammad Agha District of Logar Province, marking a major step in the country’s drive toward energy self-sufficiency.

The implementation phase was inaugurated by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, who hailed the project as a critical development for Logar’s economy and for Afghanistan’s broader energy infrastructure.

The project, valued at a combined total of $35.6 million, includes the installation of a large-scale solar power plant and the construction of a 126 MVA substation along with extended transmission lines.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Baradar emphasized that electricity remains one of the most essential pillars of national development. “Afghanistan has vast energy generation resources, but due to past neglect, these assets were not utilized properly,” he said. “As a result, we have remained dependent on imported electricity, spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”

He noted that the new project will help alleviate the chronic electricity shortage in the region, especially for the Mohammad Agha Industrial Park, while also creating new employment opportunities and stimulating industrial growth. The plant, once completed, is expected to supply electricity to approximately 40,000 households.

Baradar further reiterated the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to achieving energy independence through renewable sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower. He stressed the importance of effective water resource management and the need for strategic planning to harness

Afghanistan’s renewable energy potential. The Deputy Prime Minister also called on contractors to uphold high standards of quality and to ensure that construction is completed on schedule.

The Logar solar power initiative is one of several energy projects launched by the current administration to improve national electricity coverage, particularly in underserved rural areas.

The government views investment in renewable energy as both a cost-saving measure and a means of stabilizing the country’s industrial and agricultural sectors.

The project’s launch comes amid ongoing progress in Afghanistan’s private energy sector, most notably by Bayat Power, the country’s largest private energy company and a key force in transforming the national energy landscape.

Bayat Power is best known for launching Bayat Power-1, Afghanistan’s first gas-fired power plant, located in Sheberghan, Jawzjan province.

Commissioned in 2019, the facility uses clean-burning natural gas from Afghanistan’s own reserves and has since then, produced over 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, powering homes, hospitals, schools, mosques and businesses across the country.

In addition to power generation, Bayat Power is focused on energy infrastructure development, workforce training, and technology transfer. The company is committed to expanding into solar and hybrid energy, with plans underway to deploy new renewable energy projects aimed at stabilizing the grid and serving high-demand industrial zones.

By investing in local talent and technology, Bayat Power has positioned itself as a trusted partner in Afghanistan’s broader energy strategy, which aims to reduce imports, cut costs, and build resilience through diversified and domestic energy sources.

Together, the public and private sectors are beginning to reshape Afghanistan’s energy future—creating a foundation for sustainable development, industrial growth, and regional cooperation through projects like Bayat Power’s expanding network and the Logar solar plant.