With the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the construction of a 40 MW solar power project in Mohammad Agha district of Logar province officially began. The project is set to partially address the energy shortage in the region and provide employment and economic growth.
The construction of a large solar power project with a capacity of 40 MW officially began today in Mohammad Agha district of Logar province. The project was inaugurated in the presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
According to official information, the project includes two parts: the construction of a 40 MW solar power plant at a cost of $28 million, and the construction of a 126 MW substation along with the extension of the power transmission line, with an investment of $7.6 million. The construction of this project is scheduled to be completed within 18 months and will provide electricity to about 40,000 families in the region. Also, the electricity problem of the Mohammad Agha Industrial Park will be solved with the operation of this project.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund said at the opening ceremony that the implementation of this project is an important step towards economic development in this province and will expand the field of industrial activities by providing sustainable energy. He considered electricity one of the basic needs for the growth of countries and added that its shortage in recent years has been one of the main reasons for economic backwardness.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the country has abundant domestic energy resources, but so far these capacities have not been effectively utilized and dependence on imported electricity has placed a heavy annual cost on the country’s economy.
He emphasized that after the Islamic Emirate came to power, the energy sector has witnessed significant progress and numerous renewable energy production projects have been launched in different provinces. In addition to energy production, work is also underway on distribution and transmission projects.
Mullah Baradar added that the Islamic Emirate is trying to save the country from dependence on energy imports and also prepare the ground for electricity exports. He emphasized that to achieve this goal, water resources management and healthy utilization of solar and wind energy are essential, and long-term plans have been designed in this regard.
He asked the project implementing company to prioritize the quality of work and complete the project within the specified time.
A review of other sources shows that this project is being implemented by a domestic private company in cooperation with a foreign technical company, and it is expected that in addition to providing electricity to families, temporary employment opportunities will be provided for more than 200 local residents during the construction phase. Also, this project is part of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s large renewable energy program, which aims to produce 500 megawatts of electricity from solar sources by next year.
Studies show that the development of solar energy in the current situation is the most strategic option for reducing dependence on imported electricity. According to energy experts, the implementation of such projects, along with the management of domestic resources, can lead the country towards self-sufficiency in the medium term. On the other hand, providing local employment and strengthening industrial infrastructure are considered positive consequences of such investments. Economic observers emphasize that if these projects are implemented with serious supervision and transparency, we can hope for a brighter energy future in the country.