Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Stromversorgung [a‑12073-1]

15. Februar 2023

Kurzbeschreibungen zu den in dieser Anfragebeantwortung verwendeten Quellen sowie Ausschnitte mit Informationen aus diesen Quellen finden Sie im Anhang.

Informationen zur Energieversorgung in Afghanistan mit Stand Dezember 2021 finden Sie in Kapitel 4 (Stromimporte und inländische Stromversorgung; Verfügbarkeit von Strom) der folgenden ACCORD Anfragebeantwortung vom 6. Dezember 2021:

·      ACCORD – Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Humanitäre Lage [a-11758], 6. Dezember 2021

https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2064929/a-11758.pdf

In seinem Jahresbericht zu Menschenrechten in Afghanistan vom 12. April 2022 schreibt das US Department of State (USDOS), dass die unzuverlässige Stromversorgung in Afghanistan zu den Faktoren zähle, die die humanitäre Krise im Land verschlimmern würden (USDOS, 12. April 2022, Section 2e). Im August 2022, ein Jahr nach der neuerlichen Machtübernahme durch die Taliban, berichtet der türkische Nachrichtensender TRT World, dass die De-facto-Regierung der Taliban Schwierigkeiten habe, eine stetige Stromversorgung im Land zu gewährleisten (TRT World, 15. August 2022). Im Jahr 2022 berichteten sowohl das Internationale Komitee des Roten Kreuzes (ICRC) als auch TRT World von landesweiten Stromversorgungsengpässen (TRT World, 15. August 2022; ICRC, 11. Oktober 2022). OpenDemocracy zitiert in einem Artikel vom 18. August 2022 den Leiter der Abteilung für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit der afghanischen Wirtschaftskammer (Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, ACCI). Ihm zufolge seien 50 Prozent der Afghan·innen nicht mit Strom versorgt (openDemocracy, 18. August 2022).

Stromknappheit sei laut einem Artikel in The Diplomat vom 4. Jänner 2023 besonders im Winter akut. Niedrige Temperaturen würden dann zu einem erhöhten Strombedarf führen. Dies sei bereits im Winter 2021/2022 der Fall gewesen und wiederhole sich im gegenwärtigen Winter 2022/2023 (The Diplomat, 4. Jänner 2023). Da Afghanistans Stromversorgung zu einem großen Teil von Importen aus dem Ausland abhänge, sei das Land, insbesondere in den Wintermonaten, anfällig für großflächige Stromausfälle (The New Humanitarian, 17. Jänner 2023). Laut dem Artikel der Khaama Press News Agency (KP) vom November 2022 sei in Kabul die Stromzufuhr in der Vergangenheit nur im Winter rationiert gewesen, während es in den Jahren unmittelbar vor der Berichterstattung laut Ortsansässigen selbst im Frühling zu Strommangel gekommen sei, zu einem Zeitpunkt, zu dem sich die heimische Stromerzeugung auf ihrem Höhepunkt befinde (KP, 26. November 2022). Unter Bezugnahme auf Bewohner·innen Kabuls berichtet The New Humanitarian im Jänner 2023, dass die Bewohner·innen nur einige Stunden am Tag mit Strom versorgt gewesen seien, wobei das Minimum eine Stunde und das Maximum acht Stunden betragen habe (The New Humanitarian, 17. Jänner 2023). Ende Jänner 2023 hätten die Bewohner·innen Kabuls TOLOnews zufolge laut Selbstauskünften alle 24 Stunden zwei Stunden lang Strom zur Verfügung gehabt (TOLOnews, 30. Jänner 2023; siehe auch Afghanistan Times, 29. Jänner 2023). Auch in anderen Provinzen sei die Lage ähnlich gewesen (Afghanistan Times, 29. Jänner 2023).

Laut dem ICRC liege der jährliche Stromverbrauch in Afghanistan bei 1.600 Megawatt (ICRC, 11. Oktober 2022). Mehrere Quellen berichten, dass zwischen 70 und 80 Prozent des Stromes in Afghanistan aus benachbarten zentralasiatischen Ländern und dem Iran importiert würden (RFE/RL, 27. Jänner 2023; The New Humanitarian, 17. Jänner 2023; The Diplomat, 4. Jänner 2023; KP, 26. November 2022; ICRC, 11. Oktober 2022; TRT World, 15. August 2022). Nur etwa 20 Prozent des jährlichen Strombedarfs in Afghanistan würden im Inland erzeugt (KP, 26. November 2022; ICRC, 11. Oktober 2022; TRT World, 15. August 2022). Die Versorgung mit überschüssigem Strom aus Wasserkraft aus diesen Ländern sei jedoch unzuverlässig, so Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) im Jänner 2023. Im Winter würden eine steigende nationale Nachfrage und ein zeitgleicher Rückgang der Stromerzeugung diese Länder dazu zwingen, die Stromzufuhr nach Afghanistan zu drosseln (RFE/RL, 27. Jänner 2023).

Im November 2022 hätten in Usbekistan aufgrund eines Mangels an Erdgas weiträumige Unterbrechungen der Stromversorgung begonnen, so ein Artikel von The Diplomat (The Diplomat, 4. Jänner 2023). Im KP-Artikel vom November 2022 wird von Lastabwürfen[1] und Stromausfällen in 18 afghanischen Provinzen, darunter Kabul, als Folge eines technischen Gebrechens in Usbekistan berichtet. Das afghanische staatliche Energieunternehmen Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) habe am 25. November erklärt, dass der zweite Import-Stromkreislauf wieder an das Stromnetzwerk angeschlossen worden sei, nachdem die technischen Schwierigkeiten in Usbekistan gelöst worden seien (KP, 26. November 2022; siehe auch TOLOnews, 2. Jänner 2023; Kun.Uz, 13. Dezember 2022). Laut The New Humanitarian habe Usbekistan auch im Dezember 2022 und im Jänner 2023 mit der Begründung technischer Probleme die Stromzufuhr nach Afghanistan herabgesetzt (The New Humanitarian, 17. Jänner 2023; siehe auch TOLOnews, 2. Jänner 2023).

Ende Jänner 2023 berichtet auch RFE/RL, dass große Teile Afghanistan in den Wochen vor der Berichterstattung in Dunkelheit getaucht gewesen seien, nachdem Usbekistan die Stromexporte nach Afghanistan eingestellt habe. Die Bewohner·innen Kabuls hätten berichtet, dass sie alle zwei Tage eine Stunde lang Strom zur Verfügung gehabt hätten (RFE/RL, 27. Jänner 2023; siehe auch TOLOnews, 2. Jänner 2023). Einem Einwohner Kabuls zufolge habe laut TOLOnews Strom nur für zwei Stunden am Tag zur Verfügung gestanden. Der De-facto-Minister für Energie- und Wasserversorgung habe angesichts der Stromknappheit im Jänner 2023 die Bevölkerung dazu aufgerufen, Strom zu sparen (TOLOnews, 2. Jänner 2023).

Am 4. Jänner 2023 berichtet The Diplomat, von einer neuen Vereinbarung zwischen Afghanistan und Usbekistan, auf deren Basis Afghanistan im Winter mit 450 Megawatt Strom aus Usbekistan versorgt werden soll (The Diplomat, 4. Jänner 2023). Laut TOLOnews sei damit die Versorgung Afghanistans mit Strom aus Usbekistan um ein weiteres Jahr verlängert worden (TOLOnews, 2. Jänner 2023). Im Jänner des Vorjahres habe es bereits eine ähnliche Vereinbarung gegeben. Usbekistan habe innerhalb von zwei Wochen nach der damaligen Vereinbarung die Stromversorgung um 60 Prozent herabgesetzt. Dem seien Stromausfälle vorausgegangen. Auch diese Reduktion soll Berichten zufolge mit „technischen Problemen“ begründet worden sein. Mit Ende des Winters seien auch die Stromausfälle zurückgegangen. Mit Einbruch des darauffolgenden Winters hätten die Ausfälle in beiden Ländern wieder begonnen (The Diplomat, 4. Jänner 2023). Am 25. Jänner seien die usbekischen Stromexporte nach Afghanistan schließlich wieder fortgesetzt worden (RFE/RL, 27. Jänner 2023; siehe auch Hasht-e Subh, 24. Jänner 2023).

Unter Bezugnahme auf das usbekische Energieministerium berichtet die usbekische Online-Nachrichtenplattform Kun.Uz im Dezember 2022, dass die Stromzufuhr nach Afghanistan nicht gänzlich unterbrochen, sondern reduziert worden sei. Begründet habe man dies dadurch, dass von zwei Stromnetzwerken, über die Afghanistan versorgt werde, eines aufgrund eines technischen Gebrechens repariert worden sei (Kun.Uz, 13. Dezember 2022). Das usbekische Energieministerium habe laut der afghanischen Online-Tageszeitung Hasht-e Subh am 23. Jänner 2023 mitgeteilt, dass die Stromzufuhr nach Afghanistan in der Zeit vor der Berichterstattung vorübergehend unterbrochen worden sei. Dies sei mit extrem niedrigen Temperaturen, einem Brennstoffmangel sowie Ausfällen in den Kraftwerken begründet worden (Hasht-e Subh, 24. Jänenr 2023).

Ende Jänner 2023 habe auch Turkmenistan die Stromzulieferungsvereinbarung mit den Taliban für das laufende Jahr verlängert (RFE/RL, 27. Jänner 2023).

Die nördliche Provinz Balch sei beispielsweise an jenes nationale Stromnetz angeschlossen, über das aus zentralasiatischen Ländern importierter Strom fließe, so TRT World im August 2022. Einem Bewohner der Provinz zufolge habe es vor der Machtübernahme durch die Taliban hin und wieder Stromausfälle gegeben, doch die Situation habe sich seit der Machtübernahme verschlechtert. Es käme nun vor, dass die Bewohner·innen der Provinz tagelang keinen Strom hätten. Der Landwirt gebe sehr viel Geld für den Einsatz seines privaten Stromgenerators und seiner Wasserpumpe aus. In der Provinz Daikundi in Zentralafghanistan habe es laut einem von TRT World interviewten Ladenbesitzer zwar schon vor der Machtübernahme durch die Taliban Distrikte wie seinen mit unzureichender Stromversorgung gegeben, jedoch verschlimmere sich die Lage zunehmend (TRT World, 15. August 2022).

Laut dem ICRC im Oktober 2022 seien viele Teile des Landes noch nicht an das nationale Stromversorgungsnetz angeschlossen (ICRC, 11. Oktober 2022). Im Jänner 2023 berichtet Pajhwok Afghan News etwa von Beschwerden von Einwohner·innen der Provinz Dschuzdschan bezüglich der langjährigen Nicht-Verfügbarkeit von Strom in den Distrikten Qush Tepa und Darzab (Pajhwok Afghan News, 28. Jänner 2023). Um den Anteil der nationalen Stromproduktion zu erhöhen, würden mehrere wichtige Infrastrukturen ausgebaut, was zu Ausfällen in der Stromversorgung von Gemeinden und bei grundlegenden Dienstleistungen führe. So sei Mitte April 2022 das in der Provinz Helmand gelegene Kadschaki-Wasserkraftwerk aufgrund einer notwendigen Wartung deaktiviert worden, wodurch die Gefahr einer einmonatigen Unterbrechung der Stromversorgung für über 675.000 Bewohner·innen in den Städten Kandahar und Laschkargah im Süden Afghanistans bestanden habe. Durch Spenden des ICRC seien die beiden Städte über sieben Wochen lang täglich zwei bis drei Stunden mit Strom versorgt worden. Auch in den Provinzen Kabul, Balch, Herat, Helmad, Zabul, Uruzgan, Kunduz und Farah sei die Stromversorgung der Bevölkerung seit Beginn des Jahres 2022 durch Spenden des ICRC für zwei bis vier Stunden pro Tag gewährleistet worden (ICRC, 11. Oktober 2022).

Ende April 2022 berichtet Al Jazeera von Bombenanschlägen auf zwei Strommaste westlich der Hauptstadt Kabul in der Provinz Parwan, die zu einer Unterbrechung der Stromzufuhr in Kabul sowie in umliegenden Provinzen geführt habe. Millionen Menschen in insgesamt 11 Provinzen hätten am Tag nach dem Angriff mit Stromausfällen zu kämpfen gehabt. Viele Bewohner·innen und Geschäftstreibende hätten private Stromgeneratoren hochgefahren, um die Stromversorgung zu gewährleisten (Al Jazeera, 30. April 2022; Shargh Daily, 30. April 2022). Regelmäßige Stromunterbrechungen, die durch wiederholte Angriffe militanter Gruppierungen auf Strommaste in den nördlichen Provinzen Afghanistans verursacht worden seien, hätten in der Vergangenheit zu Problemen bei der Stromversorgung geführt (KP, 26. November 2022).

Artikeln von TRT World und The New Humanitarian zufolge sei es für manche Afghan·innen nicht leistbar, private Generatoren zur Gewährleistung ihrer Stromversorgung zu kaufen oder zu betreiben (TRT World, 15. August 2022; The New Humanitarian, 17. Jänner 2023). Mehr Menschen denn je würden laut The New Humanitarian aufgrund dieses Versorgungsmangels einen Bedarf an alternativen Stromversorgungsquellen haben, doch aufgrund der wirtschaftlichen Lage seien diese für weniger Menschen leistbar. Selbst Haushalte mit mittlerem Einkommen seien zögerlicher als zuvor, wenn es darum gehe, einen Stromgenerator oder Solarpaneele zu kaufen oder einzuschalten, um ihr Zuhause mit Strom zu versorgen oder zu heizen (The New Humanitarian, 17. Jänner 2023). Anfang Februar 2023 berichtet TOLOnews, dass die mangelhafte staatliche Stromversorgung dazu geführt habe, dass Einwohner·innen Kabuls zunehmend auf Solarstrom umsteigen würden. Händlern von Solaranlagen in der Stadt Kabul zufolge sei ein steigendes Interesse an Solaranlagen zu beobachten. Einem solchen Händler zufolge würden sich wirtschaftlich besser situierte Personen eine Solaranlage anschaffen (TOLOnews, 2. Feburar 2023).

Ende Jänner 2023 berichtet TOLOnews, dass Einwohner·innen Kabuls kritisiert hätten, dass die Stromrechnungen trotz des durch die reduzierte Stromverfügbarkeit gesunkenen Stromverbrauches im Vergleich zu Vormonaten gestiegen seien (TOLOnews, 30. Jänner 2023; siehe auch Afghanistan Times, 29. Jänner 2023).

Anfang Februar 2023 berichtet RFE/RL von der Afghanistan Online University, die es afghanischen Frauen ermögliche, sich trotz des Universitätsverbots für Frauen in Afghanistan online zu bilden. Zu den Herausforderungen, mit denen die Universität konfrontiert sei, würden großflächige Unterbrechungen der Stromzufuhr und eine schwache Internetverbindung in Afghanistan zählen. Dadurch sei die Reichweite der Universität begrenzt (RFE/RL, 4. Februar 2023).

 

 

 

Quellen: (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 15. Februar 2023)

·      ACCORD – Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Humanitäre Lage [a-11758], 6. Dezember 2021
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2064929/a-11758.pdf

·      Afghanistan Times: Kabul residence complaining of increased electricity bills in winter, 29. Jänner 2023
https://www.afghanistantimes.af/kabul-residence-complaining-of-increased-electricity-bills-in-winter/#:~:text=Heavy%20snow%2C%20rain%20predicted%20in%2019%20provinces&text=The%20citizens%20of%20Kabul%20say,available%2024%20hours%20a%20day

·      Al Jazeera: Blasts cut power to millions in Afghanistan before Eid holiday, 30. April 2022
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/30/blasts-cut-power-to-millions-in-afghanistan-ahead-of-eid

·      Enargus: Lastabwurf, ohne Datum
https://www.enargus.de/pub/bscw.cgi/d6586-2/*/*/Lastabwurf.html?op=Wiki.getwiki#:~:text=Der%20Lastabwurf%2C%20auch%20als%20Lastabschaltung,Zusammenbruch%20des%20gesamten%20Energie%C3%BCbertragungsnetzes%20vermeiden

·      Hasht-e Subh: Uzbekistan to Resume Exporting Electricity to Afghanistan, 24. Jänner 2023
https://8am.media/eng/uzbekistan-to-resume-exporting-electricity-to-afghanistan/

·      ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross: Afghanistan: Preventing electricity shutdown for millions across the country, 11. Oktober 2022
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/afghanistan-preventing-electricity-shutdown-millions-across-country

·      KP – The Khaama Press News Agency: DABS: Afghanistan Imported Electricity Problem Now Resolved, 26. November 2022
https://www.khaama.com/dabs-afghanistan-imported-electricity-problem-now-resolved-54689/

·      Kun.Uz: “Electricity supply to Afghanistan has not been stopped” – Energy Ministry of Uzbekistan, 13. Dezember 2022
https://kun.uz/en/news/2022/12/13/electricity-supply-to-afghanistan-has-not-been-stopped-energy-ministry-of-uzbekistan

·      openDemocracy: Back to black: What Afghanistan’s new focus on coal tells us, 18. August 2022
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/afghanistan-taliban-focus-coal-energy-export-import/

·      Pajhwok Afghan News: Qosh Tapa, Darzab resident want electricity issue addressed, 28. Jänner 2023 (verfügbar auf Factiva)

·      RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: The Azadi Briefing: Afghanistan Plunged Into Darkness Amid Massive Power Outages, 27. Jänner 2023
https://www.rferl.org/a/azadi-briefing-afghanistan-power-outages-ngos/32242485.html

·      RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: 'Glimmer Of Hope': Afghan Women Turn To Virtual Learning Amid Education Ban, But Obstacles Remain, 4. Februar 2023
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2086455.html

·      Shargh Daily: Two electricity towers in Afghanistan exploded by terrorists, 30. April 2022
https://www.sharghdaily.com/Section-news-3/845231-two-electricity-towers-in-afghanistan-exploded-by-terrorists

·      The Diplomat: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Settle New Electricity Agreement Amid Winter Shortages, 4. Jänner 2023
https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/afghanistan-uzbekistan-settle-new-electricity-agreement-amid-winter-shortages/

·      The New Humanitarian: In Afghanistan’s battered healthcare system, power cuts can prove fatal, 17. Jänner 2023
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2023/01/17/Afghanistan-power-cuts-hospitals-electricity-health

·      TOLOnews: Agreement signed to extend import of power from Uzbekistan, 2. Jänner 2023
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-181438

·      TOLOnews: Kabul Residents Complain of High Electricity Bills, 30. Jänner 2023
https://tolonews.com/business-181821#:~:text=Some%20residents%20of%20Kabul%20criticized,in%20comparison%20with%20other%20months.

·      TOLOnews: Solar Power Use Increasing in Kabul, 2. Februar 2023
https://tolonews.com/business-181864#:~:text=Due%20to%20the%20lack%20of,power%20to%20meet%20their%20needs.

·      TRT World: One year on, the Taliban struggles to provide services they used to disrupt, 15. August 2022
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/one-year-on-the-taliban-struggles-to-provide-services-they-used-to-disrupt-59757

·      USDOS – US Department of State: 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices: Afghanistan, 12. April 2022
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2071122.html 

 

 

Anhang: Quellenbeschreibungen und Informationen aus ausgewählten Quellen

Afghanistan Times ist eine englischsprachige, afghanische Tageszeitung.

·      Afghanistan Times: Kabul residence complaining of increased electricity bills in winter, 29. Jänner 2023
https://www.afghanistantimes.af/kabul-residence-complaining-of-increased-electricity-bills-in-winter/#:~:text=Heavy%20snow%2C%20rain%20predicted%20in%2019%20provinces&text=The%20citizens%20of%20Kabul%20say,available%2024%20hours%20a%20day.

„With the interruption of electricity imported from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan, it has been about a month that Kabul and several other provinces of the country have only 1-2 hours of electricity in 24 hours. The citizens of Kabul say that although they had few hours of electricity in 24 hours this month, the electricity bill has increased compared to other months of the year when electricity was available 24 hours a day.

Complaining about the overcharge of Breshna Company in past month, Ebrahim a residence of 6^th district told Afghan Voice Agency that ‘before our electricity cost was 500 afghanis per month, but in this month when we had no electricity, 900 Afghanis is charged.’ […]

Another Kabul resident says that although they don’t have many electrical appliances at home and using solar power most of the time, but during this month their electricity bill has doubled.

This is not the first time that citizens have complained about overcharging and problems with electricity, this problem has been raised many times by the people, but the Breshna Company has always denied these claims and said that there is no extra charge from the citizens.“ (Afghanistan Times, 29. Jänner 2023)

Al Jazeera ist ein in Qatar ansässiger arabischer Nachrichtensender.

·      Al Jazeera: Blasts cut power to millions in Afghanistan before Eid holiday, 30. April 2022
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/30/blasts-cut-power-to-millions-in-afghanistan-ahead-of-eid

„Millions of people across 11 provinces in Afghanistan faced blackouts on Saturday after two power transmission towers were blown up just west of the capital Kabul, authorities said.

The power outages come before the Eid al-Fitr holiday which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Two pylons in the province of Parwan were bombed late on Friday, cutting off electricity to the capital and neighbouring provinces.

‘The enemies … have blown up two electricity pylons with bombs, ‘ Hekmatullah Maiwandi, a spokesman for the state-run DABS electricity company, said in a video statement. […]

Many residential buildings and businesses in Kabul, a city of about five million people, booted up private generators Saturday to ensure electricity supply before Eid celebrations.“ (Al Jazeera, 30. April 2022)

Hasht-e Subh ist laut Selbstbeschreibung eine unabhängige, nicht-gewinnorientierte afghanische Tageszeitung, die im Jahr 2007 von afghanischen Menschenrechtsverteidiger·innen und nahmhaften afghanischen Journalist·innen gegründet wurde.

·      Hasht-e Subh: Uzbekistan to Resume Exporting Electricity to Afghanistan, 24. Jänner 2023
https://8am.media/eng/uzbekistan-to-resume-exporting-electricity-to-afghanistan/

„Uzbekistan is intended to resume electricity exports to Afghanistan.

The Uzbek Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement issued on Monday, January 23, that electricity exports to Afghanistan were temporarily interrupted recently due to extreme cold, lack of fuel and disruptions in thermal power plants.

Meanwhile, the director of the Taliban-run media center, Inamullah Samangani, said on Tuesday morning, January 24, in a thread on Twitter that Uzbekistan has given assurances about the resumption of electricity provision.

It is expected that from tomorrow onward, with 250 megawatts of electricity imported from Uzbekistan, power shortages in Kabul and provinces will be handled.

Suspension of services to citizens by some local offices is an example of the problems caused by the power cut.“ (Hasht-e Subh, 24. Jänenr 2023)

Das Internationale Komittee des Roten Kreuzes (ICRC) ist eine humanitäre Organisation mit Sitz in Genf.

·      ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross: Afghanistan: Preventing electricity shutdown for millions across the country, 11. Oktober 2022
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/afghanistan-preventing-electricity-shutdown-millions-across-country

„After decades of conflict and in the midst of a growing humanitarian crisis, Afghanistan is battling to meet the growing domestic needs in terms of electricity. While people of several cities across the country are facing increasing power cuts, many parts of the country still remain unconnected to the national grid, affecting the people’s livelihood and the functioning of essential infrastructure.

In Afghanistan, only 22 per cent of the 1,600 megawatts used each year are produced nationally, while the rest is imported from neighbouring countries. To increase domestic production, several key infrastructures are being upgraded, causing disruption in the provision of electricity to communities and essential services.

To ensure people's access to electricity and water, the ICRC has donated since the beginning of the year, more than 1.2 million litres of fuel, over 25,000 litres of engine and transformer oil, and generators spare parts to Afghanistan's electricity supply company and to the urban water supply corporation. These donations have ensured that the water pumps keep running and that there is electricity for two to four hours a day for over 3.8 million residents of Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Uruzgan, Kunduz, and Farah provinces.

Amongst these people, over 675,000 residents of Kandahar and Lashkargah cities in southern Afghanistan faced a potential month-long power blackout mid-April. The main source of power supply for the cities, the Kajaki hydropower dam, needed to undergo a mandatory upgrade to maximize its power production capacity by 100 megawatts and as such had to go offline.

The ICRC provided more than 400,000 litres of fuel and nearly 13,000 litres of engine and transformer oil along with spare parts, ensuring that the total black-out is averted and a minimum two to three hours of electricity per day were provided to both cities for a total duration of seven weeks.

‘[…] We provided fuel and spare parts to ensure the optimal performance of generators and help avoid a complete shutdown of electricity. […],’ said Sameer Putros, ICRC Water and Habitat Coordinator in Afghanistan.“ (ICRC, 11. Oktober 2022)

Die Khaama Press News Agency (KP) ist eine afghanische Online-Zeitung.

·      KP – The Khaama Press News Agency: DABS: Afghanistan Imported Electricity Problem Now Resolved, 26. November 2022
https://www.khaama.com/dabs-afghanistan-imported-electricity-problem-now-resolved-54689/

„The Uzbekistan-imported electricity supply in 18 Afghan provinces has been restored to normal operations, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the country’s state-run electricity company announced.

DABS tweeted on Friday, the 25th of November, that the second circuit of imported electricity has been reconnected last night after the technical issue in Uzbekistan had been resolved.

According to an earlier announcement from DABS, Uzbekistan’s technical problems were to blame for load shedding and blackouts in Kabul and other Afghan provinces.

Afghanistan is heavily reliant on imported electricity, and Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, the contiguous countries, provide about 77% of Afghanistan’s electricity.

About 19% of Afghanistan’s electrical needs are satisfied by the electricity produced domestically. Thermal power plants and renewable energy sources account for 4% of domestic production, with hydropower plants producing the remaining percentage.

Kabul’s electricity, in the previous years, was only rationed during the winter season, however,  in recent years, locals have reported difficulty accessing electricity in spring, even when the domestic generation is at its peak.

Periodic power outages caused by militant groups’ repeated demolition of electricity pylons in the northern provinces of the country constituted a serious problem for power distribution in the past.“ (KP, 26. November 2022)

KUN.UZ ist ein usbekisches Online-Nachrichtenportal.

·      Kun.Uz: “Electricity supply to Afghanistan has not been stopped” – Energy Ministry of Uzbekistan, 13. Dezember 2022
https://kun.uz/en/news/2022/12/13/electricity-supply-to-afghanistan-has-not-been-stopped-energy-ministry-of-uzbekistan

„Earlier, the representative of Afghanistan’s DABS energy company, Hikmatullah Maivandi, made a video message and accused Uzbekistan of power outages in Afghanistan.

After that, the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan commented on the situation.

It is reported that electricity is currently being supplied through one ‘Naibobot 1’ power transmission network, while the second ‘Naibobot 2’ network is being repaired due to technical failures. In this regard, the export of electricity to Afghanistan was reduced, but not stopped.

125 MW of electricity is being supplied these days.“ (Kun.Uz, 13. Dezember 2022)

OpenDemocracy ist laut Selbstbeschreibung eine unabhängige, internationale Medienplattform mit Sitz im Vereinigten Königreich.

·      openDemocracy: Back to black: What Afghanistan’s new focus on coal tells us, 18. August 2022
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/afghanistan-taliban-focus-coal-energy-export-import/

„Janaqa Naveed, public relations director of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), said Afghanistan needs to produce more energy – and coal may be the cheapest way to do it.

‘More than 50% of people don’t have electricity,’ he told openDemocracy. ‘We need power plants that use coal for domestic energy generation. Of course, we don’t want to do this and if the world community wants to help us make clean energy, solar power, we have the ideal conditions – 300 sunny days (a year).’“ (openDemocracy, 18. August 2022)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) ist ein vom US-amerikanischen Kongress finanzierter Rundfunkveranstalter.

·      RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: The Azadi Briefing: Afghanistan Plunged Into Darkness Amid Massive Power Outages, 27. Jänner 2023
https://www.rferl.org/a/azadi-briefing-afghanistan-power-outages-ngos/32242485.html

„Large parts of Afghanistan have been plunged into darkness in recent weeks after neighboring Uzbekistan halted electricity exports to the country. The power cuts have hit industries hard and delivered another blow to the country's free-falling economy.

In the capital, Kabul, residents said they receive only one hour of electricity every two days. ‘Even one hour of electricity helped warm our home, ‘ Karima Rahimyar, a teacher in Kabul, told Radio Azadi. She said most Afghans do not have the money to buy coal or wood for heating. […]

Why It's Important: The power cuts have exposed the Taliban-led government's mismanagement of the vital energy sector and highlighted Afghanistan's chronic dependence on electricity imports.

Landlocked Afghanistan imports more than 70 percent of the electricity it needs from Uzbekistan and neighboring Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. But the supply of surplus hydroelectric power from these countries is unreliable. Rising domestic demand and falling production force them to cut the electricity supply to Afghanistan during winters.

The power cuts across Afghanistan began on January 16, when Tashkent halted supplies to Kabul. It went ahead with this despite the Taliban's claims it had reached a new electricity-supply deal with Uzbekistan. Tashkent’s decision to cut exports came amid soaring domestic electricity demand amid a cold snap in Central Asia earlier this month. […]

In a positive sign, Uzbekistan resumed electricity exports to Afghanistan on January 25. This week, Turkmenistan also renewed an annual electricity supply agreement with the Taliban.

But the Taliban's unrecognized and internationally isolated government is unlikely to remedy Afghanistan's chronic energy crisis. It is doubtful the Taliban can attract donor funding and the technical support needed to complete existing hydroelectric projects or build new ones that could substantially boost domestic electricity production.“ (RFE/RL, 27. Jänner 2023)

·      RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: 'Glimmer Of Hope': Afghan Women Turn To Virtual Learning Amid Education Ban, But Obstacles Remain, 4. Februar 2023
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2086455.html

„Zarghona Pamiri gave up on her education when Afghanistan's Taliban rulers banned women from attending university in December.

But Pamiri recently enrolled in an online university, allowing her to circumvent the ban and continue her studies.

She is among the thousands of women who have joined the Afghanistan Online University, a new virtual-learning platform that offers free university courses and degrees to women.

‘It has given Afghan women a glimmer of hope, ‘ Pamiri, who was a postgraduate student at Kabul University, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. "Online education is beneficial. We learn a lot from the lessons over the Internet." […]

Afghanistan Online University was founded by Afghan academics living in self-imposed exile in Europe. It offers degrees in everything from psychology and economics to computer science, and has over 400 staff members. […]

Some 6,000 students are currently enrolled at the university. They were chosen from the around 15,000 women who applied for a place at the virtual campus after it was launched last month.

The university, however, is not without its challenges. Widespread electricity cuts and weak Internet connection in Afghanistan have undermined its reach and impact.“ (RFE/RL, 4. Februar 2023)

Shargh Daily ist eine reformistische, iranische Tageszeitung.

·      Shargh Daily: Two electricity towers in Afghanistan exploded by terrorists, 30. April 2022
https://www.sharghdaily.com/Section-news-3/845231-two-electricity-towers-in-afghanistan-exploded-by-terrorists

„The Afghan Electricity Company announced on Saturday that electricity had been cut off in Parwan, Kabul and 10 other provinces following the destruction of two electricity towers by terrorists last night.

Afghanistan Electricity Company (Breshna) said in a statement that terrorists blew up two imported electricity towers in the Taghmeh area of southern Salang, Parwan province, last night. 

Breshna also added that the company's technical staff had been sent to the area to repair the destroyed towers.“ (Shargh Daily, 30. April 2022)

The Diplomat ist ein Nachrichtenmagazin zu internationaler Politik mit Sitz in Tokio.

·      The Diplomat: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Settle New Electricity Agreement Amid Winter Shortages, 4. Jänner 2023
https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/afghanistan-uzbekistan-settle-new-electricity-agreement-amid-winter-shortages/

„Under the new agreement, Uzbekistan will supply Afghanistan with 450 megawatts of electricity during the winter as both countries suffer from outages.

Perhaps the first foreign official to arrive in Tashkent in 2023 was the Taliban’s Acting Energy and Water Minister Mullah Abdul Latif Mansour, who traveled north on January 1 and returned to Kabul the next day with an agreement on the export of electricity to Afghanistan from Uzbekistan. […]

According to the Taliban government’s Ministry of Energy and Water, Mansour ‘called solving the electricity problem with Uzbekistan and extending the contract as one of the important purposes of the trip and explained that fortunately the trip had a good achievement and both purposes were fully achieved.’

Energy shortages are particularly acute in the winter, when plunging temperatures cause spikes in energy demands. This was true in the winter of 2021-22 and is happening again in the present winter.

In very late December 2021, the head of Afghanistan’s power utility — Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) — traveled to both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to secure continued electricity supplies for Afghanistan. In early January 2022, it was announced that Uzbekistan had agreed to supply 2 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) to Afghanistan in 2022 for around $100 million. Within two weeks, however, Uzbekistan suddenly cut supplies to Afghanistan by 60 percent — ‘without coordination,’ the Afghan side said — reportedly as the result of a ‘technical problem.’ That followed outages the previous month. 

As the winter subsided, so too did outages. In a related matter, it wasn’t until August 2022 that Kabul settled its debts with Uzbekistan for the supply of energy in 2021 and began making payments for 2022 supplies. Shortly after coming to power in August 2021, it was revealed — to the shock of very few — that the Taliban were not able to pay Afghanistan’s energy bills. With 78 percent of its electricity needs met by imports, Kabul’s lack of access to the former Republic government’s coffers was a serious problem. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which both supply electricity to their southern neighbor, did not sever supplies.

And then it was winter again, and on both sides of the border outages and shortages began to bite. 

In November 2022, Uzbekistan began experiencing widespread power outages due to a shortage of natural gas.“ (The Diplomat, 4. Jänner 2023)

The New Humanitarian (TNH), ehemals Teil des Büros der Vereinten Nationen zur Koordinierung der humanitären Hilfe (UNOCHA) und unter der Bezeichnung „Integrated Regional Information Networks“ (IRIN) bekannt, ist eine institutionell unabhängige Nachrichtenagentur, die schwerpunktmäßig über Krisen berichtet und sich für eine Verbesserung  humanitärer Hilfsmaßnahmen einsetzt.

·      The New Humanitarian: In Afghanistan’s battered healthcare system, power cuts can prove fatal, 17. Jänner 2023
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2023/01/17/Afghanistan-power-cuts-hospitals-electricity-health

„Every time Dr. Noor Ahmad Jamal buys heart monitors, ECG machines, and ultrasound scanners for his Kabul cardiology hospital, he must spend thousands of extra dollars to make sure each device stays powered through Afghanistan’s all-too-regular blackouts.

‘I can spend tens – or hundreds – of thousands of dollars on the machinery itself, but then I have to [factor] in the costs of stabilisers… surge protectors, and other devices to ensure each one operates properly, ‘ Jamal told The New Humanitarian.

Afghanistan still imports 80% of its electricity from its Central Asian neighbours and Iran, which leaves the country susceptible to wide-scale power shortages, especially in the cold winter months. The lack of a consistent electricity supply sees millions forced to choose between food and heat. […]

Electricity and heating have long been a problem at this time of year in Afghanistan, but this winter has proven particularly difficult, and dangerous.

In December, and again in January, Uzbekistan, which provides the bulk of Afghanistan’s electricity, cut power to its southern neighbour, citing technical issues.

And the blackouts are coming even as Afghans struggle with capital flight, sanctions, aid cuts, and banking restrictions that have led to rising prices of staple goods and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. This means even middle-income households are more hesitant to purchase or run back-up generators or solar panels to power and heat their homes. 

Kabul residents told local media throughout December that they had electricity for only a few hours each day, with the least being one hour and the most being eight. […]

Even as reliable power becomes harder to access, Afghans are less able to afford alternatives than ever, with the economy suffering due to Western-imposed sanctions, aid cutbacks, and banking restrictions.

This winter, generator sellers have found themselves in an odd predicament. The increased power cuts mean more people than ever are in need of the devices, but the economic struggles mean fewer people are actually able to afford them.

Juma Gul first started selling generators in Kabul’s Qohai Markaz neighbourhood in 1997, a year after the Taliban first came to power in Afghanistan, but he says his business has never suffered the way it has this winter.

Despite being surrounded by rows of generators in a multitude of bright colours, shapes, and sizes, the lights in his store are off. 

Like millions of homes and businesses across the city, Juma Gul started the day without electricity. It could take hours for the power to return, but he doesn’t want to spend the 91 afghanis, $1.02, a litre on the diesel needed to run a generator. […]

And it’s not just Juma Gul: The other generator sellers on the street told The New Humanitarian they were faring no better. ‘People just have to sit in the dark, ‘ Juma Gul said.“ (The New Humanitarian, 17. Jänner 2023)

TOLOnews ist ein afghanischer Nachrichtensender.

·      TOLOnews: Agreement signed to extend import of power from Uzbekistan, 2. Jänner 2023
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-181438

„The Ministry of Energy and Water has signed an agreement with Uzbekistan to extend the import of electricity to Afghanistan for another year, hoping to end power cuts in the capital city, Kabul.

Abdul Latif Mansour, the acting minister of energy and water, who traveled to Uzbekistan this week, said the lack of electricity in Kabul and some other provinces is due to technical issues in power plants in Uzbekistan.

‘We signed and extended the agreement for the import of electricity in 2023,’ said Mansour said.

He called on people to pay attention to saving electricity.

‘Turning on additional lights and using heaters can put pressure on electricity. It is better if there are energy conservation measures,’ said the acting minister of Water and Energy

Residents of Kabul and other provinces said they are facing major power blackouts in the last two months, adding that the problem needs to be solved.

‘Power outages are at the level that electricity is supplied for us for two hours a day,’ said Hamid Qasim, a Kabul resident. […]

Uzbekistan will provide 450 megawatts of electricity to Afghanistan during winter.“ (TOLOnews, 2. Jänner 2023)

·      TOLOnews: Kabul Residents Complain of High Electricity Bills, 30. Jänner 2023
https://tolonews.com/business-181821#:~:text=Some%20residents%20of%20Kabul%20criticized,in%20comparison%20with%20other%20months.

„Some residents of Kabul criticized the increase in electricity bills in the last month.

They said that in the last month, every 24 hours people have electricity for only two hours, but their electricity bills have increased in comparison with other months.

‘We have electricity for one hour, we can't even charge our phones, we don’t have power in this harsh winter, this problem covers the country, especially Kabul,’ said Roya, a Kabul resident. 

‘In the past month, we had electricity for two hours at night, we were just filling the water tank but now the electricity bill comes to 3500,’ said Mansoor, a Kabul resident. 

Meanwhile, the former head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat said that the reason for the increasing electricity bill is the people's high use of electric energy and the estimation of the bill by the employees of Breshna company. 

‘There was a violation by previous Breshna Sherkat employees; unfortunately, it’s still happening now, in winter the highways are not good, and employees can’t go everywhere and make bill estimates,’ said Amanullah Ghalib, former head of DABS.“ (TOLOnews, 30. Jänner 2023)

·      TOLOnews: Solar Power Use Increasing in Kabul, 2. Februar 2023
https://tolonews.com/business-181864#:~:text=Due%20to%20the%20lack%20of,power%20to%20meet%20their%20needs.

„Due to the lack of city-provided electricity, this winter has seen an increase in the harnessing of solar power by Kabul residents. 

Residents of Kabul said that the shortage of electricity makes them use solar power to meet their needs. 

‘For the use of solar power, we spend 12,000 afghanis, and use it for brightness at night…‘ said Zalullah Fayaz, a Kabul resident. 

‘In Kabul, there are electrical problems, and we have to use solar power, we only charge our mobiles from solar and use it for lighting, ‘ said Waqar Shagiwal, a Kabul resident. 

Meanwhile, sellers of solar power systems in the capital said that their market has become prosperous compared to the past. 

‘The solar power market has become better compared to the past, people who have a better economic situation buy a solar power system, ‘ said Aqdas a solar seller.“ (TOLOnews, 2. Feburar 2023)

TRT World ist ein englischsprachiger, türkischer Nachrichtensender mit Nähe zur regierenden Partei für Gerechtigkeit und Aufschwung (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP).

·      TRT World: One year on, the Taliban struggles to provide services they used to disrupt, 15. August 2022
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/one-year-on-the-taliban-struggles-to-provide-services-they-used-to-disrupt-59757

„The recent wave of power shortages is being felt across Afghanistan, and the Taliban blame the international community for the country's political and financial isolation since the group took over last year.

Everyday for three hours, Noorbakhsh, in Balkh province, in northern Afghanistan, turns on his personal electricity generator to water his land, where he cultivates crops like cotton and sesame.

The yield of his fields depends entirely on how much water and electricity he can acquire in a country facing droughts, rickety power infrastructure, and a flailing Taliban government.

The northern province is connected to the national power grid, which imports electricity from Central Asian countries. […]

‘Before the Taliban, the electricity outages occurred every other day. But now the situation is much worse, and sometimes we are without power for days. I am spending a lot of money on the generator and water pump,’ Noorbakhsh told TRT World, sharing fear that he won't be able to water his as the summer peaks.

‘As Afghans, we are used to spending days and nights without electricity. But my fields are thirsty; they depend on electricity for their thirst to be quenched.’ […]

More than 70 percent of the electricity consumed in Afghanistan is comes from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, and less than 20 percent is produced domestically.

The recent wave of power outages is being felt across Afghanistan, as the leadership of the Taliban struggles to provide a steady electricity supply.

In Daikundi province in central Afghanistan, 30-year-old Asghar, who owns a small shop, said he could not afford a private generator like his peers.

Although, unlike Noorbakhsh in Balkh, his district had poor power connectivity even during the previous government, the situation is getting worse. 

‘I have a small solar-powered battery that helps run three bulbs and is enough to charge our cell phones. I cannot afford a bigger generator, nor the fuel to operate it,’ he told TRT World.“ (TRT World, 15. August 2022)

Das US Department of State (USDOS) ist das US-amerikanische Außenministerium.

·      USDOS – US Department of State: 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices: Afghanistan, 12. April 2022
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2071122.html 

„The economic and liquidity crisis since the Taliban takeover, lower agricultural yield due to drought conditions, unreliable electricity supply and deteriorating infrastructure, and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic all combined to worsen the humanitarian crisis.“ (USDOS, 12. April 2022, Section 2e)