KABUL, Afghanistan — Residents of Kabul are grappling with an unprecedented increase in power outages in recent weeks, presenting a significant challenge as they endure an unprecedented heat wave.
Many Kabul residents report that they are experiencing power outages both day and night. Despite having no electricity during the day, the power cuts continue into the night, adding to their distress.
The state-run electricity company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), currently managed by the Taliban, stated that it has amplified the power outages by only 37 percent in the capital.
Temperatures in Kabul have recently soared to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), exacerbating the impact of the outages. Over the past two weeks, residents say their homes have been without power for up to 12 hours during the day and over six hours at night.
Criticism has been directed at the Taliban, with some residents noting that power outages were typically a winter issue. They are now facing severe power shortages during the hottest part of the year.
“Electricity comes at 7 or 8 p.m. in the evening and then goes out again by 9 p.m.,” said one Kabul resident. “We are struggling due to the bad electricity.”
“There are a lot of power outages,” said another resident. “We are facing many problems. We spend nights in darkness, without electricity, and the power cuts are so frequent.”
Other residents have complained about inequitable distribution of electricity across different areas of Kabul. “In areas where government officials live, there are fewer outages and more electricity,” said a resident. “But in areas where poorer residents live, there is less electricity, and the power cuts are more frequent.”
According to DABS, Kabul’s demand for electricity is 527 megawatts, but the company is only able to provide 332 megawatts, reflecting a shortage of 195 megawatts.
The CASA-1000 project, which was supposed to transfer electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan, was halted following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. After nearly three years, the World Bank has expressed readiness to resume the project at the request of the involved countries, but it has yet to be completed.
Afghanistan primarily relies on electricity imports from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.
