The Ministry of Energy and Water on Sunday said Afghanistan needs over $1.5 billion investment by the private sector to generate up to 2,000 megawatts of power from solar energy projects.

Mohammad Gul Kholmi, acting minister of energy and water, said 25 companies have shown willingness to invest in solar energy projects in the country.

“We invite the private sector to invest in renewable resources or solar energy projects. We have 300 sunny days with good lands,” said Kholmi.

Officials from Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the country’s power supplier firm, said government should come up with more incentives and privileges to help attract national and international investments in the sector.

“We have not managed to find good market for solar energy system,” said Amanullah Ghalib, chairman of DABS.

“Tariffs should be reduced on the equipment which are used for installing solar system. We hope that proper ground is paved for investments. We are partnering in the implementation of these projects,” said Mohammad Yunus Mohmand, deputy head of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI). 

Based on statistics of Ministry of Energy and Water, Afghanistan has the capacity to generate at least 222,000 megawatts of power from solar energy resources while the country is producing only four megawatts of solar power.

The ministry said government is working to increase the four megawatts of solar energy to 50 megawatts.