The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) has drawn up a five-year operational plan for the development of the energy sector, which includes the expansion of energy production from domestic sources and the increase of national income, the ministry said in a statement.

In a meeting on Sunday, chaired by Abdul Latif Mansoor, the acting minister of energy and water, along with other officials and experts in the sector, this plan was approved for the development of the sector, the statement read.

The ministry stated that in order to implement this plan, different programs will be rolled out.

Improving the security of energy production resources, increasing the use of these resources, attracting investment in energy production resources in the country, using domestic resources for energy production, increasing national income, and gaining market share are the main components of this operational plan, said Ghulam Jilani Haqparast, a senior IEA official.

Meanwhile, officials at the Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) say Afghanistan has the resources to considerably increase energy production if the ministry provides investment opportunities.

Khanjan Alkozi, a member of the ACCI, said that energy and electricity are an important pillar in the industry, production, trade and agriculture sectors.

According to Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), nearly $300 million is spent annually on imported electricity from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Iran.

In addition, based on statistics, less than 35% of the country’s citizens have access to electricity.