Otis Singleton
Access to electricity is a crucial aspect of modern life, enabling everything from lighting and cooking to connecting with the world through the internet. Despite this, a significant number of people worldwide still lack this basic amenity, and Afghanistan is no exception. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve access to electricity in Afghanistan, but the country continues to face challenges in this regard. So, do most Afghans have access to electricity?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Afghans with access to electricity | 85.3% (2022), 97.7% %(2021) |
| Historical average (2000-2022) | 57.09% |
| Minimum value | 4.4% (2000) |
| Maximum value | 97.7% (2016) |
| World average | 86.75% |
| Electricity sources | Hydropower, fossil fuels, solar power, wind power, natural gas |
| Electricity imports | From Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan |
| Electricity exports | To Pakistan |
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What You'll Learn
Solar power and wind farms
Afghanistan has been increasing its use of renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind farms. The country has the potential to produce over 222,000 MW of electricity by using solar panels, and solar power is becoming more widespread across Afghanistan. Solar parks have been set up in several cities, and solar-powered street lights are now found in all Afghan cities and towns. In rural areas, villagers are buying solar panels for their homes. Solar power has also been used to provide water for community supply and small-scale irrigation of farm plots, as well as to power health clinics and hospitals, security systems, and schools.
The first wind farm in Afghanistan was completed in Panjshir Province in 2008, with the potential to produce 100 kW of power. Another major wind farm is being built in Herat province, where there is the potential to generate approximately 158,000 MW of wind power. The use of wind power is less common than solar power in Afghanistan, but there are still many opportunities to harness this energy source.
In addition to solar and wind power, Afghanistan also uses hydropower, biomass, geothermal, and biogas energy. The country's mountainous environment makes it well-suited to the use of hydropower, and there are several hydroelectric dams already in place. Afghanistan also has the potential to produce over 23,000 MW of hydroelectricity.
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Hydroelectricity
Afghanistan has the potential to produce over 23,000 MW of hydroelectricity. The country's largest source of energy is hydropower, followed by fossil fuels and solar power. The Afghan government has been seeking technical assistance from neighbouring countries to build more dams and develop its hydropower infrastructure.
A number of dams with hydroelectric power stations were built between the 1950s and the mid-1970s, including the Kajaki Dam in the Kajaki District of Helmand Province and the Naghlu Hydropower Plant in the Surobi District of Kabul Province. The Kajaki Dam provides up to 151 MW of electricity to Helmand and Kandahar provinces, while the Naghlu plant provides electricity to Kabul, Kapisa, and Nangarhar provinces. The Naghlu Hydropower Plant is Afghanistan's largest, and it restarted operations in 2018 after a hiatus of six years. When all four of its turbines are fully operational, it will have the capacity to produce 100 MW of electricity, serving 100,000 households.
Other hydropower projects include the Salma dam and the first phase of the Kajaki plant, which were completed in recent years. The next phase of the Afghan government's hydropower development will focus on leveraging private sector financing for additional hydropower plants, starting with the expansion of the Kajaki hydropower plant.
Afghanistan's energy consumption is expected to increase in the coming years due to the large influx of expats from neighbouring countries. The country currently generates around 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity from its hydroelectric plants and imports over 670 MW from neighbouring countries. The Afghan National Development Strategy has identified wind and solar energy as valuable alternative power sources, and the country has been establishing wind and solar farms to take advantage of its potential to produce over 222,000 MW of electricity from solar panels and 66,000 MW from wind turbines.
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Natural gas
As of 2012, only about one in three Afghans had access to electricity. This situation has improved over the years, and currently, less than 50% of Afghanistan's population has access. The capital, Kabul, is better off than the rest of the country, with around 70% of households connected to electricity.
Afghanistan has the potential to produce up to 23,000 MW from its hydro, solar, wind, gas, and thermal resources. The country's power stations, mainly hydro plants, can produce around 500 MW, but due to water shortages and maintenance issues, they generate less than half of that amount. Afghanistan also purchases electricity from its neighbouring countries, with more than half of its total supply coming from imports.
Bayat Power, established in 2016, has been pivotal in improving Afghanistan's electricity production using domestic natural gas. Its facility in Sheberghan, Jowzjan Province, has been operational since November 2019 and is the country's first modern natural gas power plant in over four decades.
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Imported electricity
Afghanistan currently imports over 670 megawatts (MW) of electricity from its neighbouring countries: Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This costs the country between $250 and $280 million per year. The western provinces of Afghanistan have historically purchased electricity from eastern Iran, and continue to do so. The country also buys electricity from other countries in the region, including 150 MW from Tajikistan, 450 MW from Uzbekistan, and an unspecified amount from Turkmenistan.
The billion-dollar CASA-1000 project, once completed, will provide 300 MW of electricity to Afghanistan, with the remaining 1000 MW going to Pakistan. In addition, a 442-kilometre (275-mile) high-voltage transmission line was constructed from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan and completed in 2008. This line runs from Kabul through five Afghan provinces to the country's border with Uzbekistan and connects to the Uzbek electricity transmission system. By 2009, this project ensured that residents of Kabul had access to 24-hour electricity.
Afghanistan also imports petroleum products and natural gas from its neighbouring countries, including Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with Russia also joining as a supplier. The country has its own oil fields in the northern provinces of Sar-e Pol, Jowzjan, and Faryab, with estimated reserves of 1.9 billion barrels of crude oil and approximately 15 billion cubic feet of natural gas. However, Afghanistan still relies heavily on imported electricity, with imports accounting for 80% of its annual consumption needs as of 2016.
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Clean fuels for cooking
Afghanistan has been working to improve access to electricity for its residents, with a focus on renewable energy sources. The country currently imports over 670 MW of electricity from its neighbouring countries, costing between $250 and $280 million annually. However, Afghanistan has also been developing its domestic energy production capabilities, including solar power, wind power, and natural gas.
While these developments are crucial for providing electricity to power lights, appliances, and machinery, they also have the potential to improve access to clean fuels for cooking. Clean fuels for cooking refer to non-solid fuels such as natural gas, ethanol, or electric technologies. In Afghanistan, two-thirds of households use traditional fuels for cooking, such as charcoal, crop waste, or dung. These solid fuels are a primary risk factor for deaths and adverse health effects from indoor air pollution. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 4.3 million premature deaths each year are linked to inhaling carbon monoxide and particulate matter from traditional biomass cookstoves. This is a pressing issue in Afghanistan, as the country is among the ten countries worst affected by indoor pollution, with over 95% of its population burning wood and other solid fuels in their homes.
To address this problem, the United Nations and its partners have collaborated with local villagers in Afghanistan to develop clean cooking stoves. This initiative aims to improve indoor air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease dependence on wood for fuel. The project, part of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, has brought together local metalworkers, engineers, and environmental experts to design prototypes for clean cookstoves and other low-cost energy solutions. The design team has created four prototypes, including a tandoor (a traditional Afghan oven) called the Sutra, meaning "clean." This initiative is particularly important in Afghanistan, where indoor smoke from tandoors is a significant health concern, contributing to childhood pneumonia, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
In addition to the UN-supported project, other efforts are being made to promote the adoption of clean fuels for cooking in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan government needs an incentive strategy to encourage households to transition to clean energy. Poverty reduction and education increase the likelihood of switching to clean fuels. Additionally, urban couples with electricity access and separate kitchens are more likely to adopt clean fuels. Understanding the determinants of household cooking fuel choices is crucial for developing effective policies and incentive programs to promote the adoption of clean energy for cooking in Afghanistan.
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Frequently asked questions
No. In 2012, only one in three Afghans had access to electricity. While this number has likely increased since then, in 2022, 85.3% of Afghans had access to electricity, which is still below the world average of 86.75%.
Afghanistan's power stations are mainly hydroelectric plants, which have the potential to produce around 500 MW of electricity. However, due to water shortages and maintenance issues, they produce less than half of their potential output. Afghanistan also sources power from its neighbours, including Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Afghanistan has been exploring alternative sources of electricity, including solar power and wind energy. Solar parks have been established in several cities, and solar-powered street lights can be found in all Afghan cities and towns. The country also has the potential to produce over 66,000 MW of electricity through wind farms.
There are several challenges to providing electricity access to all Afghans, including a lack of infrastructure, water shortages, maintenance issues, and an inadequate transmission network. Additionally, Afghanistan's reliance on imported power makes it vulnerable to external factors. While there have been efforts to improve access, many large-scale projects have faced delays or cost overruns.
