Resumption of Major Electricity Projects in Kandahar, Zabul, and Helmand: A Strategic Move Towards Energy Self-Sufficiency
On April 27, 2025, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan initiated the completion of three significant electricity development projects in the southern provinces of Kandahar, Zabul, and Helmand. The ceremony, attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, cabinet members, and local officials, underscores the government's commitment to enhancing the nation's energy infrastructure.
Weezharoz-These projects aim to fully utilize the 151-megawatt capacity of the Kajaki Dam, a critical hydroelectric facility in Helmand Province.
The second phase of the dam, completed in 2022, increased its output from 51 MW to 151 MW, facilitating electricity supply to both Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
The current initiatives include the completion of the Qalat substation in Zabul, the eastern substation in Kandahar, and the installation of a 110-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Kajaki power plant to Kandahar’s eastern substation.
With an estimated investment of nearly one billion Afghanis, these projects are expected to provide electricity to hundreds of thousands of new consumers and create numerous employment opportunities.
The enhanced power distribution will support the growth of industrial, commercial, and agricultural sectors in the region.
Deputy PM Baradar emphasized the government’s focus on achieving energy self-sufficiency by leveraging domestic resources.
He highlighted recent agreements with the private sector to produce 250 megawatts of electricity from solar, wind, and gas sources across various provinces.
These efforts aim to reduce Afghanistan’s reliance on imported electricity, which currently accounts for a significant portion of its energy consumption.
The Islamic Emirate’s strategic approach to energy development reflects a broader vision of fostering economic growth, ensuring energy security, and promoting sustainable development throughout Afghanistan.
Weezharoz
