Uzbekistan, Afghanistan to jointly implement 4 electricity projects

TASHKENT. Aug 19 (Interfax) - Energy companies of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have signed agreements on implementing four major projects in the energy sector following negotiations in Kabul, the press service of the Uzbek Energy Ministry said.

"Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov held a meeting with Afghan Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar. Following the negotiations between Uzbek and Afghan energy companies, agreements were signed on implementing four major projects," the press service said.

The first agreement provides for the construction of the 500 kV Surkhan - Pul-i-Khumri transmission line with a length of 200.6 km [from the south of Uzbekistan to Afghanistan] and the expansion of the Khodja-Alvan substation. The second agreement concerns the expansion of the Arganda substation to 500/220 kV and an increase in capacity to 800 MVA. The third agreement provides for the construction of a new double-circuit 220 kV transmission line with a length of 125 km from the Butkhak substation (Kabul) to the Sheikh Misri substation (Nangarhar, Afghanistan). The fourth agreement provides for the construction of the 220 kV Sheikh Misri substation (Nangarhar).

The parties agreed to officially launch these projects as part of the international energy conference which will be held on September 6-7 in Kabul. Completion of construction is scheduled for Q1 2027.

Currently, Afghanistan imports around 80% of its electricity. Supplies come from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.