The Wall Street Journal: Kabul Faces Blackout As Taliban Don’t Pay Electricity Suppliers

 

“Afghanistan’s capital could be plunged into darkness as the winter sets in because the country’s new Taliban rulers haven’t paid Central Asian electricity suppliers or resumed collecting money from consumers. 

Unless addressed, the situation could cause a humanitarian disaster, warned Daud Noorzai, who resigned as chief executive of the country’s state power monopoly, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, nearly two weeks after the Taliban’s takeover on Aug. 15. 

“The consequences would be countrywide, but especially in Kabul. There will be blackout and it would bring Afghanistan back to the Dark Ages when it comes to power and to telecommunications,” said Mr. Noorzai, who remains in close contact with DABS’s remaining management. “This would be a really dangerous situation.” 

Electricity imports from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan account for half of Afghanistan’s power consumption nationwide, with Iran providing additional supplies to the country’s west. 

Domestic production, mostly at hydropower stations, has been affected by this year’s drought. 

Afghanistan lacks a national power grid, and Kabul depends almost completely on imported power from Central Asia. 

My comments : It looks like there is more trouble brewing in Afghanistan.  The violence will never settle down unless they disarm the general population.  Easier said than done. In Afghanistan almost everyone has a gun.  Then they have to get rid of the racial and religious hatreds.  An even bigger mountain to climb. Finally they have to become a modern and scientific people.  In brief I see no hope for Afghanistan.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.