Cooperation in the energy sector between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is entering a new phase. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
In the near future, Uzbekistan is expected to increase electricity exports to Afghanistan several times over. These plans will be implemented after the completion of the construction of the "Surkhan - Pul-i-Khumri" high-voltage power transmission line.
This was announced by Uzbekistan's Minister of Energy, Jorabek Mirzamahmudov, at a press conference held on October 28. According to the minister, cooperation in the energy sector with Afghanistan is steadily developing.
He noted that he has visited Afghanistan three times in the past two months and emphasized that electricity is of great importance for the development of the country's economy. He also stated that the Afghan side is paying serious attention to financial discipline and has fully repaid previous debts.
The main part of expanding cooperation is the construction of the "Surkhan - Pul-i-Khumri" power transmission line with a voltage of 500 kV. Work on this project began based on a contract signed in September.
The construction is planned to be completed within 18 months, by April 1, 2027. The project has a total cost of 250 million US dollars and includes a 200.6-kilometer power line, new substations, and other infrastructure.
Additionally, economic ties between the two countries are also strengthening. In the first nine months of this year, mutual trade volume increased by 1.5 times, reaching 1.15 billion US dollars.
Uzbekistan's electricity exports to Afghanistan amounted to 114.8 million dollars, which is significantly higher compared to last year. Afghanistan imports 80 percent of the electricity it consumes.
Uzbekistan, along with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, is one of the main electricity suppliers to Afghanistan. Uzbekistan has been supplying electricity to Afghanistan since 2002, and this cooperation is planned to continue until 2025.
