UN Reports: 80% of Afghans Lack 24/7 Electricity Access

In a report released on Thursday, October 15, 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) revealed that 80% of Afghanistan’s population lacks access to round-the-clock electricity. Decades of conflict have left Afghanistan as one of the most energy-insecure countries in the world.

According to the report, Afghanistan’s national energy consumption stands at 700 kilowatt-hours per capita annually, which is at least 30 times lower than the global average. The UNDP emphasized that Afghanistan urgently needs more energy to boost economic growth, but its local production capacity falls far short of demand.

Challenges in the Energy Sector
The high cost of imported electricity and the country’s weak infrastructure have led to frequent power outages, disrupting essential services such as healthcare and stalling the growth of the private sector.

The UNDP report stressed that without rapid investment in green technologies, particularly large-scale solar power plants, Afghanistan cannot achieve rapid economic growth. Additionally, the environmental risks will continue to escalate if the current situation persists.

Potential for Renewable Energy
The report highlighted Afghanistan’s significant potential for transitioning to renewable energy. With an estimated 222 gigawatts of solar energy capacity and 67 gigawatts of wind energy potential, the country could sustainably meet its growing energy needs.

However, unlocking this potential requires bold policy actions and strategic investments.

Recent Efforts and Challenges
Since 2021, the UNDP, in collaboration with partners such as the Japanese government, the European Union, and various UN agencies, has taken significant steps to improve Afghanistan’s energy sector. Thousands of solar and hybrid hydro-solar systems have been installed across the country, benefiting approximately 3.7 million Afghans.

Despite these efforts, Afghanistan’s energy supply remains heavily reliant on imports from Central Asian countries. The national power company, Breshna, controlled by the Taliban, has signed agreements to purchase electricity from neighboring countries and sells it to citizens at high prices.

However, the imported electricity has never been sufficient to meet the needs of the population or production companies. Currently, many residents in Kabul and other provinces continue to face frequent power shortages.

Conclusion:
The UNDP’s report underscores the urgent need for Afghanistan to invest in renewable energy infrastructure to address its chronic electricity shortages and support economic development. Without significant investment and policy reforms, the country’s energy crisis will continue to hinder progress and exacerbate environmental risks.