Uzbekistan plans to increase electricity exports to Afghanistan

Speaking at a press conference on 28 October, Mirzamakhmudov said that cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is developing steadily and both sides intend to further expand their partnership.

“Our cooperation with Afghanistan is progressing well. I’ve visited the country three times in the past two months – it’s peaceful, thankfully. They are also taking steps to develop their economy, and such growth is impossible without energy resources.

“Afghanistan is fully meeting its payment obligations for the electricity supplied. After the current government came to power, it completely cleared the debts of the previous administration. As the head of our company can confirm, there have been no delays or other issues in payments for the electricity they consume,” the minister said.

Mirzamakhmudov also announced that work has begun on constructing the “Pul-e Khumri” 500 kV power transmission line.

“We are expanding our cooperation further. We’ve extended the transmission network to Surkhandarya and upgraded the substation. In September, we signed a contract for the new 500 kV line known as ‘Pul-e Khumri’ and have already started the work. We agreed to complete the project within 18 months. Once it is finished, Uzbekistan’s electricity exports to Afghanistan are expected to increase severalfold,” the minister added.