Afghanistan and Uzbekistan Sign Major Electricity Deals to Strengthen Regional Ties

Strategic Insights -

Afghanistan's state electricity company DABS and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy have signed a series of major electricity deals to boost industrial development and strengthen bilateral economic ties between the two countries. The agreements, signed between DABS CEO Abdul Bari Omar and Uzbekistan's Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, aim to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity and create thousands of new jobs in Afghanistan. The projects will enable Afghanistan to import between 800 and 1,000 megawatts of electricity from Uzbekistan, which will be used to power industrial parks, agricultural facilities, and create hundreds of jobs in the eastern provinces.

Key Takeaways:

  • The agreements signed between DABS and the Uzbek side include the 500 kV SurkhanDasht-e Alwan transmission line with a capacity of 1,000 MW, the expansion of Arghandi substation with a capacity of 800 MVA, the 220 kV KabulSheikh Mesri transmission line with a capacity of 800 MW, and the construction of Sheikh Mesri substation in Nangarhar with a capacity of 126 MVA.
  • The projects are expected to create over 1,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for young people, particularly in the eastern provinces, with the arrival of 1,000 megawatts of power to the country.
  • Uzbekistan's Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, emphasized that the agreements are a result of direct support from the leaders of both countries, with Uzbekistan committed to completing the projects on time.
  • DABS CEO Abdul Bari Omar highlighted that the electricity is one of Afghanistan's essential needs, and the projects will play a major role in creating a scientific, industrial, and economic transformation in the country.
  • The agreements aim to strengthen the bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries and enable Afghanistan to reach industrial self-sufficiency.

Statistics:

  • Afghanistan will import between 800 and 1,000 megawatts of electricity from Uzbekistan.
  • The projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs, particularly in the eastern provinces.
  • Uzbekistan has committed to completing the projects on time, with an emphasis on creating a stable and developed Afghanistan.
  • The agreements aim to enable Afghanistan to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity and create a significant economic transformation in the country.

Sources:

  • TOLOnews (Attributed to DABS CEO Abdul Bari Omar)