According to officials in ministry of water and energy of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran is due to boost electricity export to western provinces of Afghanistan based on a new agreement signed between the two nations.
The agreement was signed between Afghan water and energy minister Mohammad Ismail and his Iranian counterpart Majid Namjo in capital Kabul.

The Afghan government signed a contract with the neighboring Iran back in 2002 to provide electricity for western provinces of Afghanistan.

Mohammad Ismail Afghan water and energy minister the new agreement will resolve issues of electricity shortage in Nimroz and Herat provinces of Afghanistan.

Mohammad Humayoun Kohistani head of the energy department in Afghan electricity department said the government of Afghanistan is keen on extending the agreement as western provinces of Afghanistan is need of electricity.

Iran was providing 90 mega watt of electricity per hour based on the old agreement however Iran will now export 164 mega watt of electricity per hour according to the new agreement signed between the two nations.

Mr. Kohistani said the government of Afghanistan will purchase $26 million worth of electricity annually from Iran and the agreement will be valid until 2015.

In the meantime Iranian energy and electricity minister Mr. Namjo expressed concerns regarding growing instability in Afghanistan which prevents long term projects implementation in the country.

Afghanistn water and energy minister also inked a number of other agreements including economic cooperation and technical assistance in water and energy section with Iran.

According to the agreements Iran will assist and train Afghan water and energy minister officials.

This comes as the Afghan government in cooperation with Iran activated two generator sets which can produce 50 mega watt of electricity in capital Kabul.

Officials said the two generator sets will consume 18,000 litre of oil per hour and will be used during emergy period only.

The electricity of Afghanistan is currently provided by neighboring coutries including Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.

By Khaama

 

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