Afghanistan’s domestic power generation, though improving, remains insufficient. Hydroelectric, solar, and fossil fuel-based plants contribute to the national grid, but infrastructure limitations and growing demand have kept supply far below need.
As temperatures soar across Kabul, residents of the Afghan capital are grappling with worsening power outages that have disrupted daily life and sparked growing frustration. With limited access to electricity during a brutal heatwave, many households are finding it nearly impossible to stay cool, access clean water, or manage daily routines.
Ahmad, a Kabul resident, shared his frustrations: “Electricity usually comes after 5 PM and lasts for two or three hours, then it cuts out again. This has caused many problems and delays our personal work.”
Masoud, another resident, echoed similar concerns: “We barely have electricity during the day. It goes off at 9 in the morning and returns around 5 PM, only to be cut again at 8 PM. We can’t run coolers, fans, or air conditioners at home, and more importantly, we’re also facing water shortages, which brings even more challenges.”
Despite widespread complaints, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the country’s main power utility, has yet to issue an official statement in response to the growing discontent. Several attempts to contact the company went unanswered.
However, Amanullah Ghalib, former head of DABS, attributes the ongoing crisis to longstanding issues of high consumption and technical limitations in parts of the distribution network.
“In the short term, the only solution is to quickly replace overloaded transformers,” Ghalib said. “There should also be proper coordination between Breshna and the municipality. Until Breshna upgrades its transformers, investors and those building high-rise apartments should bear the cost themselves.”
The current energy crisis comes at a time when Afghanistan’s dependence on imported electricity has left the national grid vulnerable to external supply shocks. Prior to the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the country imported about 80% of its electricity from neighboring nations, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. Recent reductions in electricity exports from Uzbekistan have severely impacted Kabul’s already strained power supply.
Rising Demand
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s domestic power generation, though improving, remains insufficient. Hydroelectric, solar, and fossil fuel-based plants contribute to the national grid, but infrastructure limitations and growing demand have kept supply far below need. A recent solar project, delivering 22.75 megawatts near Kabul, was a positive step, but experts say much more is needed.
According to Khan Jan Alokozai, a board member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, energy reliability is not only essential for citizens but also critical for economic development.
“The current plans in the electricity sector are good, and we hope serious consideration is given to launching a multi-billion-dollar hydropower project, which would be even better,” Alokozai said. “Without consistent electricity, both citizens and the industrial sector will continue to suffer.”
Kabul’s power infrastructure also faces technical challenges. Transmission and distribution networks are outdated, and power losses due to inefficiency and equipment failure are common. Additionally, financial constraints are a major hurdle. Reports indicate that the Taliban-led government has struggled to pay for electricity imports, raising concerns about long-term reliability.
Efforts to resolve the crisis have included the development of new transmission lines and strategic energy partnerships. A major transmission project from Uzbekistan to Kabul—facilitated by the Asian Development Bank—has helped stabilize supply in certain areas. The Taliban administration has also signed contracts with Iranian and Turkish companies to expand power infrastructure.
Despite these initiatives, the residents of Kabul remain deeply affected by persistent blackouts. In both summer and winter, rolling power cuts have become a daily reality, making life increasingly difficult for families, students, businesses, and health facilities.
“There have been many promises,” said Ahmad. “But nothing has changed. We’re still in the dark.”
With electricity demand continuing to rise and the summer heat intensifying, Kabul’s power crisis underscores the urgent need for coordinated investment in both infrastructure and sustainable energy generation. Until then, millions of residents will be left to endure long hours without power, in sweltering heat, with little hope for immediate relief.
