Uzbekistan to continue supplying electricity to Afghanistan in 2026

Uzbekistan has confirmed it will continue supplying electricity to Afghanistan in 2026, according to the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan.

According to local media, the agreement was signed between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, and a delegation from Afghanistan led by Abdul Bari Umar, CEO of the country’s national energy supplier, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS). Senior officials from Uzbekistan’s energy sector also participated in the talks.

Both sides noted that several major joint energy projects are already underway. Discussions focused on the development of high-voltage transmission lines and substations in Afghanistan, with emphasis on accelerating their completion.

In August, Uzbekistan and DABS signed a financing agreement to support these projects. Once completed, expected within 18 months, Afghanistan will be able to import between 800 and 1,000 megawatts of electricity from Uzbekistan.

The cooperation covers four key projects:

Construction of the 500 kV Surkhan–Dasht-e-Alwan transmission line, with a capacity of 1,000 MW.

Expansion of the Argandi substation to 800 MVA.

Construction of the 220 kV Kabul–Sheik Mesri transmission line, with a capacity of 800 MW.

Establishment of the Sheik Mesri substation in Nangarhar, with a capacity of 126 MVA.

These initiatives are expected to strengthen Afghanistan’s energy infrastructure and further deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Afghanistan’s energy sector faces persistent challenges due to decades of conflict, underinvestment, and outdated infrastructure. Domestic electricity generation is limited, with hydropower, thermal plants, and a small amount of renewable energy providing only a fraction of the country’s needs. Many areas, particularly rural provinces, continue to experience frequent power outages, leaving households and businesses dependent on unreliable or expensive sources of energy.

To meet growing demand and support economic development, Afghanistan relies heavily on importing electricity from neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.

Importing power helps stabilize the national grid, ensures supply during peak periods, and supports essential services such as hospitals, schools, and industry. However, dependence on imports also highlights the country’s vulnerability to regional geopolitical dynamics and underscores the need for investment in domestic energy capacity.

Recent initiatives, including high-voltage transmission projects and substation expansions in partnership with countries like Uzbekistan, aim to improve electricity access and reduce supply bottlenecks. Strengthening cross-border cooperation and modernizing infrastructure are seen as critical steps toward creating a more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy sector in Afghanistan.