Afghanistan, Uzbekistan agree to expand energy cooperation — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to expand strategic cooperation in the energy sector, including a 15-year plan for developing Afghanistan’s power sector and the establishment of joint technical working groups. Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat (DABS) said in a statement today (Sunday) that its chief executive, Mullah Abdul Haq Hamkar, met with Umid Mohammadaminov, first deputy minister of energy of Uzbekistan and several technical and engineering officials. The meeting discussed the development of electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks, technical capacity building, engineering and design cooperation, the use of smart electricity meters, long-term energy planning and modernisation of Afghanistan’s power sector. Uzbek officials expressed their country’s readiness to cooperate in developing Afghanistan’s energy sector, saying reliable and stable electricity was essential for economic growth, mining development and industrialisation. They said cooperation between the two countries would go beyond electricity exports and include power generation, transmission, distribution and technical capacity building. DABS said Uzbekistan’s first deputy energy minister announced plans to prepare a comprehensive 15-year programme for the development of Afghanistan’s energy sector. He said technical specifications and estimated costs of priority projects would be shared with DABS after technical studies and feasibility assessments were completed. The two sides also agreed to establish joint technical working groups, exchange experience and technology, strengthen technical capacity and continue practical cooperation to modernise…