The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has stated in its latest report that only 33% of the population in Afghanistan has access to electricity, while in rural areas this figure drops to less than 20%.
According to the report, the annual per capita energy consumption in Afghanistan is approximately 700 kWh, which is nearly 30 times lower than the global average. The organization emphasized that this situation represents a serious challenge to the country’s economic and social development.
The report further notes that the development of clean energy is not solely an environmental issue, but is directly linked to people’s livelihoods, quality of life, and human dignity. In many rural areas, women are still required to travel long distances to collect fuelwood and other solid fuels.
UNDP has warned that the use of solid fuels leads to indoor air pollution, posing significant health risks to the population particularly women and girls and undermining their development opportunities.
The organization stated that, in response, it has implemented numerous renewable energy projects in Afghanistan. According to the report, since 2021, more than 6,000 facilities have been equipped with solar power systems through energy programs.
These include over 5,420 healthcare centers, more than 800 schools, and over 850 commercial facilities. The report indicates that these initiatives prevent the emission of 33,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and reduce diesel consumption by 12 million liters.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
