Afghanistan to import 300 MW power
from Uzbekistan
Nov 14, 2006 - Xinhua
The war-ravaged and energy-thirsty Afghanistan has
inked agreement with Uzbekistan to import 300 MW electricity
from its central Asian neighbor, Presidential spokesman
Mohammad Karim Rahimi said in Kabul on Tuesday.
"Afghan Minister for Water and Power Mohammad Ismael
Khan signed the accord during his recent visit to
Uzbekistan," Rahimi told newsmen at a press briefing.
Work on the installation of the transmission lines
and poles has already begun from the border town of
Hiratan, he said.
The project would be completed within the next 18
months and thus, Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan,
would have sufficient power, Xingua of China reported.
Similar agreement has already been inked with Tajikistan.
Less than 10 percent of Afghans have access to electricity
while in the capital city Kabul, around 70 percent
of the residents enjoy electricity, according to the
Minister for Water and Power.
Khan also said a few days ago that Kabul, with a
population of over 4 million, needs more than 1,000
MW power. To overcome the problem, Afghanistan has
to import electricity from neighboring countries besides
building more power plants in the country.
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