Announcement

Power from Uzbekistan Reaches Kabul via a New Transmission Line

President Karzai starts the flow of 40 MW of energy.

Kabul, Afghanistan  | Monday, June 15, 2009

Photo: USAID/IRP

President Karzai energizes a substation to begin the transfer of electricity from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan.

Electricity heats homes, provides light, and powers businesses, contributing to economic growth and higher living standards.  Bringing more electricity to Kabul is a key goal of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and on May 7, Kabul received 40 megawatts (MW) of power purchased from Uzbekistan.  The electricity flowed for 400 km over the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range via a newly energized 220 kV transmission line.  This electricity will light over 32,000 homes and provide urgently needed power to create jobs and improve the lives of the people of Kabul.

The electricity arrived in Kabul thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the U.S. Government, and a number of other international donors including the World Bank, the Government of India, the Government of Germany, and the Asian Development Bank.  The cost of purchasing power from Uzbekistan is significantly less than the cost of diesel-powered electricity generation, allowing more Afghans access to power.