Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have signed four contracts worth $243 million aimed at expanding power transmission infrastructure and building new substations, according to Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Afghanistan’s state-owned utility company.
The agreements were concluded between DABS and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy, represented by Nego Energy and Uz Energy. Key components of the project include the extension of the 500-kilovolt Surkhan-Dasht Alwan transmission line, designed to carry up to 1,000 megawatts, the expansion of the Arghandeh substation to 800 megavolt-amperes (MVA), the construction of a new Sheikh Mesri substation in Nangarhar Province, and the extension of the 220-kilovolt Kabul-Nangarhar (Sheikh Mesri) line.
The signing ceremony took place in Kabul and was attended by high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Head of the General Directorate of State-Owned Corporations Mawlawi Ahmad Jan Bilal, and members of the press.
Describing the projects as “vital for ensuring reliable electricity services,” DABS CEO Dr. Abdul Bari Omar said the upgrades would support Afghanistan’s commercial, industrial, and agricultural development. Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, stressed that the initiative demonstrates “strong joint cooperation and continuous efforts by the leaders of the two friendly nations,” and pledged close collaboration on the implementation phase.
In addition to the infrastructure deals, DABS also signed a separate long-term agreement with Uzbek companies to purchase electricity over a ten-year period, helping to stabilize Afghanistan’s power grid.
As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, DABS has entered into or prepared agreements for domestic energy generation projects totaling 1,070 megawatts over the past 11 months. Foreign partners are financing 70% of the estimated $1.01 billion investment.
Afghanistan currently generates approximately 250 MW of electricity domestically and imports 800 MW from neighboring countries, Turkmenistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, at an annual cost of $250-280 million. Officials estimate national electricity demand at 6,000 to 7,000 MW, with the potential to reach 10,000 MW as industrial output grows.
