Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On the eve of the Asian Development Bank decided to allocate a grant of US$110 million to "increase energy supply and strengthen the IRA's energy sector by increasing its sustainability and developing cross-border energy trade."

As noted by the Afghan "Tolo news", the funds will be directed to "the construction of 201 km of the Afghan section of the 500 kV Surkhan-Puli-Khumri (Khoja-Alvan) transmission line, which has a key character for obtaining more electricity from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan" and also for the re-equipment of the Khoja-Alvan substation.

Commenting on the allocation of a new ADB grant for the development of the energy sector of the IRA, experts note the significant role of Uzbekistan in the implementation of infrastructure projects. It is emphasized that the success of the previous joint project with Uzbekistan - the construction of the Hairaton-Mazar-i-Sharif railway, which plays an important role in the economy of Afghanistan, contributed to the allocation of another ADB grant to Kabul.

As noted, today only 34% of the Afghan population is connected to the electricity networks. At the same time, according to the IRA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Afghan industry is experiencing an acute shortage of electricity, which is why factories in the provinces work only 6 hours a day.

According to Arab news, Afghanistan's current annual imports of electricity are 1,200 megawatts, and domestic production is 400 megawatts. To meet the needs of Afghans for electricity, 7.5 thousand megawatts are needed.

In this regard, the ADB believes that the implementation of the project will increase the potential import potential of Afghanistan by 900 megawatts, which will contribute to the reliable provisiohttps://uzdaily.ru/media/storage/img/september2020/6898320288.jpgn of affordable electricity to Afghan households and enterprises. Upon completion of the project, it is expected that another 500,000 households, commercial organizations and industrial enterprises will be connected to the energy networks.

In general, experts agree that the international community is demonstrating a firm commitment to the peaceful economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, continuing to provide it with extensive financial assistance.