Kabul, Afghanistan – In the early hours of March 26, an attack in Baghlan Province damaged two power transmission towers that supply imported electricity from Uzbekistan to Kabul and four other provinces. The attack briefly shut off over 300 MW of electricity—the bulk of the city’s power needs. The Government of Afghanistan responded quickly, using USAID-funded resources and training to reduce the impact of the disruption to residents and businesses in Kabul.

The response to the attack, and the resulting power outage was twofold. First, in Kabul, technicians from Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) immediately activated its backup power resources, including the USAID-funded thermal power plant at Tarakhil. Over the next several days, the backups ran at full capacity, ensuring that hospitals and other critical energy consumers had uninterrupted power supply.

Second, in Baghlan Province, repair crews were dispatched to the damaged towers. Twelve hours after the attack and clearing operations by the Afghan military, the crews restored 170 MW of imported power in Kabul. A combination of DABS’ back-up power resources, including the USAID-funded backup in Tarakhil, restored close to normal capacity electricity supply to Kabul.

While power was being restored, USAID was in regular contact with DABS and the Government of Afghanistan. The repair team re-erected a collapsed transmission tower and finalized repairs on both power circuits, restoring full supply on March 30. While USAID continues to support needed developments in Afghanistan’s electricity generation and transmission infrastructure, DABS’ ability to speedily restore power supply shows real resiliency.

“USAID is proud of the work we have done to build the professional capacity of DABS. We acknowledge the independence and expertise shown by the swift action of DABS, and we congratulate DABS”, said USAID Mission Director Herbert Smith.

With almost $17 billion spent on development programs in Afghanistan since 2002, USAID provides the largest bilateral civilian assistance program to Afghanistan. USAID partners with the government and people of Afghanistan to ensure economic growth led by the country’s private sector, to establish a democratic and capable state governed by the rule of law, and to provide basic health and education services for all Afghans.

• Press Release - The Government of Afghanistan Builds on USAID Support, Responds Quickly and Professionally to Attack on Power Transmission Lines (Dari)
• Press Release - The Government of Afghanistan Builds on USAID Support, Responds Quickly and Professionally to Attack on Power Transmission Lines (Pashto)