MEW seeks to use private power companies to generate more electricity

The Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) tries to use private power supply companies to generate more electricity for the country.

Officials in the ministry noted that they have talked with Indian companies regarding investment on electricity projects.

Afghanistan ranks among the countries with the lowest electricity production per capita in the world. Despite billions of dollars in projects over the past decade, at best one-third of the population has access to regular power.

Currently, Afghanistan produces about 500 megawatts of electricity — less than a number of Caribbean islands. The country imports another 500 megawatts from neighboring countries.

“Afghanistan cannot alone invest in power sector, and sharing private sector is a need,” Abdul Basir Azimi, spokesman of MEW said.

There are coal and gas mines still intact in Afghanistan, as well as many roaring rivers where can be used for power generation, but unfortunately, they are not used and go wasted.

Annually, Afghanistan pays millions of dollars to the neighboring countries such as, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran for power import.

According to reports of the ministry of energy and water, Afghanistan needs 3000mgw power annually which only its 6pc is produced inside the country.

If investment is made on natural resources of Afghanistan, not only needed energy will be provided but the country will also change to a power supplier in the region.

Security challenges face the investment opportunities in the country with problem and the government officials have always termed insecurity as a main challenge before not implementing major economic plans, especially in the area of energy generations.

But still, Afghanistan has many opportunities ahead and it is hoped that the government officials not to lose them and think about decrease in Afghanistan’s dependency to power.