The state-run power company, DABS, on Wednesday signed an agreement with Iran to extend electricity imports for the 1405 solar year, which begins in March, as the country continues to grapple with chronic power shortages.
The Taliban-run Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) said its chief executive, Abdul Haq Hamkar, led a delegation to Tehran, where the extension was signed with Iranian officials. The visit was made at the invitation of Tavanir, Iran’s state electricity transmission and distribution company.
According to the statement, the two sides also discussed expanding and developing electricity transmission infrastructure and strengthening cooperation related to power imports from Iran.
Afghanistan relies heavily on imported electricity. The country imports the majority of its power — roughly 70 to 80 percent of supply — from neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. Imports from Iran account for a significant share of electricity used in western provinces such as Herat, while Uzbekistan remains Afghanistan’s largest overall supplier.
Despite these arrangements, Afghanistan continues to face prolonged outages, including in the capital, Kabul, where residents and businesses regularly report daily power cuts lasting several hours. Limited domestic generation capacity, aging infrastructure and payment disputes in past years have contributed to the instability of supply.
DABS said its leadership had intensified engagement with neighboring electricity-exporting countries to strengthen regional cooperation and improve energy security. The utility did not disclose the financial terms of the renewed agreement with Iran or the volume of electricity covered under the extension.
The deal comes as demand for electricity remains high, particularly in urban centers.
