The renewable energy sector in Afghanistan: Policy and potential

Afghanistan has one of the lowest rates of access to and usage of electricity in theworld. Fuelwood, charcoal, agricultural, and animal waste still dominate in meet-ing energy needs for cooking and heating, with a large percentage of the popula-tion using kerosene, candles, and gas for lighting. Yet the situation has changedsignificantly since the U.S. and coalition combat operations that began at the endof 2001. The period through to the present day has seen a fivefold increase in theelectrification rate; agreements with Central Asian countries and Iran for importingelectricity; the implementation of thousands of small-scale renewable energy pro-jects in rural areas; the development and rehabilitation of several large-scaleenergy projects; the (partial) development of the institutional, policy, and regula-tory landscape; and the expansion of transmission lines and distribution networks.Although accurate information is scarce, Afghanistan has both substantial fossilfuel reserves and renewable energy potential. The country’s wind power potentialalone looks likely to exceed projected power demand for several decades ahead.Similarly, both the estimated hydropower and solar photovoltaic (PV) potentialeach exceed projected 2032 power demand. The institutional context of theAfghanistan energy sector is complex, comprising multiple ministries, governmentagencies, aid agencies, and intergovernmental organizations. Nonetheless, givensuitable coordination, the technologies, natural resources, and capabilities areavailable for transforming the sector and the lives of many people.This article is categorized under:Energy Infrastructure > Climate and EnvironmentEnergy Policy and Planning > Economics and PolicyEnergy Policy and Planning > Systems and Infrastructure