Although Afghanistan is rich in energy resources, more than three decades of conflict has destroyed or severely degraded much of Afghanistan’s infrastructure including energy generation capacities as well as transmission and distribution infrastructure. As a result, Afghanistan currently relies heavily on electricity imports from neighboring countries, which account for more than three quarters of Afghanistan’s total electricity usage. In order to reduce reliance on imported electricity, Afghanistan has made it a national priority to promote generation of domestic electricity and the use of renewable energy sources, of which Afghanistan has plenty.
Access to some kind of electricity
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Access to the national grid
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8/8GLOBAL VIEW
SDGS and the role of Afghanistan
By Rafat Ludin, Project manager at ABC Company
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth.
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1/8Introduction
Terminology and recent history
This podcast was recorded by Wesley Wojtas, on behalf of Muhammad Amin, Professor at Kabul Polytechnic University, engineering faculty.
What are the challenges and opportunities for the Afghan energy system and renewable energy sources in particular? Muhammad Amin argues that the gap between power demand and generation needs to be bridged through the use of renewable energy sources. “The knowledge and skills acquired through the content provided in this website can unlock the potential of individuals and organizations to become motivated and well-equipped problem-solvers“, he says.
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2/8Electricity
Electricity is progress
By Hamidullah Zahib, Professor at Kabul University, engineering faculty.
Why do we need electricity and how can we produce it? Hamidullah Zahib explores the growing demand and need for electricity in Afghanistan and the benefits of renewable energy sources, especially in remote areas. “The benefits of renewable energy sources are breath-taking […] The shortcomings are all things that can, with time and money, be fixed due to the rapid technological advancements“, he says.
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3/8Renewable Energy I
Resources and potentials
This podcast was recorded by Hannah Nickel, on behalf Mustafa Halim, GIZ ESIP.
Which potentials can Afghanistan release and how much electricity could Afghanistan produce, if it uses all opportunities in generating electricity through renewable sources. Mustafa Halim gives insights about the different potentials of solar energy, wind energy, hydropower and biomass.
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4/8Renewable Energy II
Modern, affordable, and clean
by Rafat Ludin, Project manager at ABC Company
Solar energy is gaining a foothold in Afghanistan. Young Afghans have been trained in solar power and can offer their services for the repair and maintenance of solar systems in various parts of the country. Micro-hydropower systems have also received special attention in the past twenty years. However, their operational integrity must also be guaranteed through adequate training of staff and supply of spare parts and repair opportunities.
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5/8ENERGY ACCESS
Driver for human development
This podcast was recorded by Sean Furey, on behalf of Najib Rahman Sabory, AREU Chairman and Professor at Kabul University, engineering faculty.
Afghanistan’s existing power supply system is deficient in many respects including geographic coverage, flexibility and adequacy, and cost of domestic supply. And there is also a growing gap between demand and supply, but existing forecasts of demand do not reflect the current reality. In the near term, disaggregated forecasts for more focused potential markets would be more useful, explains Najib Rahman Sabory.
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6/8THE NATIONAL GRID
The backbone of the electricity system
This podcast was recorded by Rena Salzmann, on behalf of Hedayatullah Karimi, Professor at Kabul University, engineering faculty.
What is the current state of Afghanistan’s national grid, why is it so important and how can renewable energy be integrated into the grid? Hedayatullah Karimi gives insights on current grid extension projects and the Afghanistan Power Sector Master Plan. He also talks about the challenges that slow down the implementation of the Master Plan and in turn decrease economic growth in the country.
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7/8MINI-GRIDS
Access for everyone
By Shawkatullah Shams, Professor at Kabul University, engineering faculty.
By Shawkatullah Shams, Professor at Kabul University, engineering faculty. What is a mini-grid and how does it work? Despite having good energy resources, 70% of Afghanistan's population still does not have reliable access to the power grid. Mini-grids could be a good option to solve this issue, especially in rural areas. Shawkatullah Shams gives valuable insights into the state of mini-grids in Afghanistan, their advantages and the integration of renewable energy into stand-alone mini-grids.
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8/8GLOBAL VIEW
SDGS and the role of Afghanistan
By Rafat Ludin, Project manager at ABC Company
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth.
00:00
1/8Introduction
Terminology and recent history
This podcast was recorded by Wesley Wojtas, on behalf of Muhammad Amin, Professor at Kabul Polytechnic University, engineering faculty.
What are the challenges and opportunities for the Afghan energy system and renewable energy sources in particular? Muhammad Amin argues that the gap between power demand and generation needs to be bridged through the use of renewable energy sources. “The knowledge and skills acquired through the content provided in this website can unlock the potential of individuals and organizations to become motivated and well-equipped problem-solvers“, he says.
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Electricity as a driver of economic and social progress
One of the most important innovations of all times that enabled the human species to enter the age of modernisation is electricity. Electricity allowed people to exchange, read a book or work on a new idea while using electric light in their homes even after sunset. People were able to change from heavy mechanical work to using electricity instead. While the machine took over the hard work, people could start using their time differently and healthier. Electric stoves allowed people to prepare their food indoor without burning biomass or other materials in the room where they live, sleep and often inhaled the smoke and suffered from lung diseases. While most modern societies are not able to function without electricity anymore, not all above-mentioned benefits from using electricity are given all over the world. Electricity has been around for hundreds of years, however, it has not yet reached some areas in the world such as remote places in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, with the potential of applying renewable energies in Afghanistan and technological advances in the last ten years as well as options like mini-grids and all this at economic feasible cost, chances are great to electrify the whole of Afghanistan and to foster economic and social progress in the years to come.
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Making use of a laptop changed this man’s life.
Beautiful Afghanistan and its difficult topography for building a reliable national grid.
Some villages in Afghanistan can only be reached by foot and people living there often have no access to electricity.
Water, biomass, solar energy and the wind offer great potential to electrify Afghanistan – especially in remote areas.
This man experienced how electricity makes his work easier, the quality of his products better and his business thriving.
This dentist relies on electric appliances and can now offer his patients better treatments ensuring their health.
This man just got back from checking his satellite dish which allows him to have a look through the TV into the world.
This classroom is equipped with a fan and a projector, allowing the students to learn most effectively.
This man says that the light bulb and the phone changed his life.
There is no way to charge a phone without having access to electricity.
These kids can read because there is light in the room.
Speakers on a mosque are helping to invite for prayers.
This man is proud that he has access to electricity to watch TV every now and then.
Making use of a laptop changed this man’s life.
Beautiful Afghanistan and its difficult topography for building a reliable national grid.
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What are the main opportunities?
Fostering economic and social progress
Providing reliable and affordable access to electricity
Supplying clean electricity and reducing health concerns
Meeting the growing electricity demand
Building up an efficient transmission system and securing supply
Building a resilient and sustainable electricity infrastructure
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially with regard to SDG 7 and SDG 13
Turning Afghanistan into a central Asian energy hub
