Work on the construction of a solar power project in Kabul with a capacity exceeding 22 megawatts, was launched on Tuesday. The project is intended to bolster energy supply for Afghanistan’s industrial parks and residents.
The $18 million project is a joint venture between Turkish company 77 Turkey and Afghan company Zolaristan.
The solar facility is being built in the Surobi district near the Naghlu Dam, with completion expected within a year.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Kabul, Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, criticized the international community for halting clean energy projects in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power. He called on the United Nations and other global organizations to renew their support for solar initiatives in the country.
Energy needs critical for development
At the event, Abdul Bari Omar, head of the state-run utility Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), highlighted the importance of stable electricity supplies for public services, including healthcare and education.
He urged international partners to collaborate with Afghanistan in its pursuit of energy independence. “Today, we mark the launch of a 22.75-megawatt solar power project, developed in partnership with Zolaristan and 77 Turkey,” Omar said.
Taliban’s history of attacks on energy infrastructure
The Taliban, now seeking international support for their energy sector, previously targeted Afghanistan’s power infrastructure during their insurgency. In 2019 alone, the group reportedly disrupted power lines over 100 times in regions such as Kandahar-Helmand, Ghazni-Maidan Wardak, and Baghlan-Kabul, according to DABS. They also destroyed power pylons on at least eight occasions, hindering access to electricity across large swathes of the country.
