Afghanistan has the potential to generate up to 220 gigawatts of electricity from solar energy, yet it spends more than $280 million a year on electricity imports, the United Nations Development Programme said.
In a social-media post on Thursday, the agency said tapping that potential could cut reliance on imported power and widen public access to clean energy. According to sources, more than 80 percent of Afghanistan's electricity needs are met through imports, mainly from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.
UNDP said that since 2021 its projects have helped more than 5.5 million people in Afghanistan gain access to clean energy. It called for greater investment and cooperation among relevant institutions to expand domestic generation.
Despite substantial solar, wind and hydropower resources, Afghanistan has long depended on foreign electricity supplies. The fresh estimate gives a clearer benchmark for energy investment talks.