Electricity in Afghanistan in 2022

In Afghanistan, electricity consumption in 2022 was heavily reliant on imported sources, with net imports reaching approximately 6 TWh. Low-carbon electricity generation remains modest, with hydro being the primary clean source. The country's total electricity supply is significantly lower than the global average of around 3606 watts per person. Such low levels of electricity generation can hinder economic development and pose challenges to achieving sustainable energy access, thereby impacting education, healthcare, and overall quality of life for its citizens.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Afghanistan can learn from other countries that succeed in utilizing clean energy sources. For example, the People's Republic of China has made substantial progress in wind and solar energy, generating nearly 950 TWh from wind and 653 TWh from solar. Meanwhile, India, a geographically closer country, has also made strides by generating about 125 TWh from solar and another 92 TWh from wind. Adopting wind and solar technologies could be a viable strategy for Afghanistan to increase its sustainable electricity production, given the potential for solar installations across its sunny regions and wind farms in suitable areas. Furthermore, nuclear energy presents a robust option for providing a stable and secure electricity supply and should be considered as a major future energy strategy.

History

Historically, Afghanistan's investment in low-carbon electricity has been limited and predominantly centered on hydropower. From the early 1990s to the early 2000s, hydroelectric generation saw minor fluctuations, with incremental increases and slight declines, reflecting the variability and challenges in expanding its hydropower infrastructure. During the 2000s, there were modest gains, but hydroelectric production remained relatively stable until 2020, which recorded slight decreases. The lack of significant advancement highlights the need for focused strategies and diversifying into other low-carbon sources like solar and wind, or even introducing nuclear energy, to form a more balanced and resilient electric supply chain.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources