Kabul New Energy Project Energy Storage Policy

Focussing on renewables for domestic power generation, would ensure power generation and grid stability for its current and future energy needs, and would thus help Afghanistan achieve energy security.

Development of renewable energy is also one of the priority areas for low emission development for Afghanistan (NAMA, 2015) particularly in the context of energy access to rural communities to think and act beyond lighting energy.

The conversion of municipal solid waste into energy is of strategic importance to Afghanistan considering the amount of solid waste generated in major municipalities. For instance, Kabul generates approximately 1600 tonnes of MSW daily. The first proposed pilot project for 6.0 MW in Kabul municipality is an encouraging initiative.

Given the requirement of hot-water (and low-grade heat) for domestic, community and commercial purposes throughout the year in Afghanistan, non-concentrating solar thermal systems (flat-plate or ETC) can play a critical role in providing thermal energy to these applications. Accordingly, Roadmap suggests a total target of 60 MW under this category

Recently, some studies are under process for biomass energy projects in Kabul city and Balkh province under supervision of Kabul Municipality, Ministry of Urban development. Applications of bio-energy such as waste to energy and biogas units are relevant to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is rich in energy resources, both fossil fuel based and renewables. However, it still depends heavily on imported electricity and fuels and has one of the lowest per capita consumption of electricity in the world. Lack of domestic generation remains the key challenge for energy security and energy access in Afghanistan.