Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, officially initiated work on a 10-megawatt solar power project in Laghman Province.
During the ceremony, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund said, "It is a matter of joy that today we are moving towards a major step in clean energy generation in the Laghman Province. It will not only contribute to the region's resilience to climate change, but also fulfill partially the nation's need for clean and sustainable energy."
Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund stated that the Islamic Emirate has initiated large projects, such as this, for independence in the electricity sector. This is a significant step, not only as far as electricity generation is involved, but also as a way to reinforce the national economy, to attract domestic and foreign investment, to create job opportunities, and to guarantee quality of services to the population.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs announced that seven major electricity generation projects had been contracted across the country recently with a total capacity exceeding 228 megawatts. This project is an unprecedented stride in the country's electricity generating industry, and the current project is an intrinsic part of that greater initiative.
During the opening day of the 10-megawatt solar power plant in Laghman, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund said that the Islamic Emirate's economic policy is based on a fundamental principle of severing foreign dependency and achieving self-sufficiency through the utilization of national capabilities. As electricity has been considered the backbone of economic progress, it has a pivotal role within the Islamic Emirate's economic policies.
He also noted that Afghanistan still shows a remarkable reliance on imported power, which not only involves significant financial costs but also leads to a huge foreign currency drain. Consequently, projects of this nature may increasingly guide the country towards energy self-sufficiency.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs emphasized that security forms the most crucial aspect in terms of starting and successfully fulfilling economic and investment projects within the country, thus ensuring that investors are guaranteed the Islamic Emirate's full support in this regard.
Last but not least, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs has urged investors to consider investment opportunities in various sectors of Afghanistan, particularly in the electricity sector. The Islamic Emirate has offered numerous facilities in this connection to ease the process and assures full cooperation. The Inter-Ministerial Investment Committee, under the auspices of the Economic Deputy Office, is day and night endeavoring to make the investment process simple and convenient for investors.
It is noteworthy that the private sector is investing an amount of six million dollars in the 10-megawatt solar power project of Laghman Province. Upon completion, the project will partially mitigate local electricity shortages and stimulate industrial activities in the region.
