INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
In a landmark effort to boost Afghanistan’s renewable energy sector and accelerate economic recovery, Kabul this week hosted the
“Partnerships for Green Growth: Business-to-Business Convening on Renewable Energy Investments.”
Held on Wednesday and Thursday, June 25
and 26, the high-level event brought together national and international stakeholders under the theme “Accelerating Investments Through
Partnerships and Facilitating Access to Finance.”
Amidst a fragile but gradually recovering economy, Afghanistan continues to face a stark
energy deficit that hampers industrial growth, limits delivery of essential public services, and impacts the quality of life for millions
Despite vast solar, wind, and hydro resources, only a fraction of the country’s renewable energy potential has been harnessed.
According
to UNDP, this persistent energy gap is a major development challenge
“Closing this gap requires urgent and inclusive investment, with a strong focus on scaling up renewable energy solutions that are
resilient, decentralized, and adapted to Afghanistan’s diverse geography,” the agency stated.
“Attracting investment in the renewable
energy sector is not only necessary, but also strategically advantageous,” UNDP added.
“The Afghan energy market holds considerable
potential, particularly in regions where off-grid and mini-grid systems can rapidly transform local economies” – UNDP
The agency
emphasized that unlocking this potential requires proactive dialogue and collaboration among development partners, the private sector, and
local stakeholders, along with showcasing bankable opportunities and de-risking tools.
This week’s forum served as a strategic platform to
address these issues by connecting investors, development partners, and policymakers to explore new financing models and
partnerships.
Organized in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and
Industries (ACCI), and the Afghanistan International Bank (AIB), the conference spotlighted the Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF)—an
initiative designed to mobilize sustainable investments using Shariah-compliant financial tools and blended finance models.
Bayat Power
Highlights Local Capacity and Innovation
A key voice at the event was Bayat Power, Afghanistan’s first private company in over 40 years to
establish and operate a domestic gas-fired power plant.
In his address to delegates, Lutfullah Stanikzai, Business Development Director of
Bayat Power, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to energy independence.
Founded in 2013 under the Bayat Group, the company
launched Bayat Power-1 in 2019 as a public-private partnership with DABS, the Ministry of Energy and Water, Afghan Gas State-owned Company,
Siemens Energy, and others
Since then, the plant has produced over 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, powering homes, hospitals, schools, mosques and businesses
across the country.
Stanikzai emphasized the company’s use of cutting-edge technologies—including Siemens’ SGT-A45 mobile gas
turbines, among the most efficient in the world—and its deployment of over 1,000 smart meters in Kabul as part of a pilot project to
improve grid efficiency.
“Our efforts have not only powered essential public services but also generated thousands of direct and indirect
jobs, contributing to economic stability and workforce development,” Stanikzai said
He added that Bayat Power’s tax contributions and gas purchases support national revenue generation.
“Afghanistan deserves cutting-edge
solutions, not outdated technology,” he stressed
“We are committed to deploying modern systems that offer both performance and environmental sustainability.”
Looking ahead, Bayat Power
is expanding into solar, wind, and thermal energy projects and seeking to engage international partners for technical collaboration and
investment.
“Our long-term vision aligns with Afghanistan’s goal of a resilient and self-reliant energy future,” Stanikzai
concluded.
Bayat Power’s presentation stood out as a compelling example of what can be achieved through innovation, private-public
collaboration, and a deep commitment to national development.
The post Bayat Power showcases clean energy achievements and vision at
Kabul’s Green Growth Forum first appeared on TINS News | Afghanistan News.
