Afghanistan signs 10-year electricity import deal with Uzbekistan

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of CAREC Energy Ministers' Dialogue in Uzbekistan capital Tashkent.
Based on the agreement, Uzbekistan is required to export 4.2 billion kilowatt hours initially and up to 6 billion in the next phase.
Wahidullah Tawhidi, a spokesman for the utility Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, said that the contracted electricity will transmit through 500kv line, which is under construction.
He said that the price of the electricity will be determined in separate contracts.
Separately, DABS said that it signed an agreement with Turkmenistan on synchronization of electricity grids.
The agreement will see Afghanistan save $600 million and private sector will be free to transmit and sell power.
Afghanistan has the potential to produce up to 23,000 MW from its hydro, solar, wind, gas and thermal resources, but the country is too reliant on imports.
Many big projects that could light up all of Afghanistan still remain on the drawing board, have faced cost overruns or have been delayed due to security concerns.