Power import bill up by 300pc

KABUL): The price of electricity imported from neighbouring Uzbekistan has jumped from $3 million (148 million afghanis) to $9 million six months ago, officials said on Monday. 

The imported power was mostly supplied to Kabul, Parwan, and Baghlan provinces, Mirwais Alimi, chief commercial officer of Da Afghanistan Bershna Shirkat (DABS), told Pajhwok Afghan News.  

During the first six months of the current year, $3,000,000 was paid to Uzbekistan on a monthly basis. In the winter, when power consumption increased, the monthly bill went up to $5,000,000.   

For the month of January, the power cost is estimated at $9,000,000, an amount already paid, Alimi said, adding Afghanistan was to pay six cents per kilowatt.

In industrial areas, the price of one kilowatt was 10 afs and 1.5afs in residential areas for people consuming up to 300 kilowatts.

The people using up to 700 kilowatts have to pay four afs per kilowatt and those with higher consumption levels had to pay six afs per kilowatt, the official explained.

Afghanistan imports more than 60 percent of power from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. As a result of a hike in fuel prices, the electricity bill has also increased.

The rate of one kilogram of liquefied gas recently shop up to 120afs. However, it has now been lowered to 70 afs. One litre of diesel accounts for 68 afs.

mrh/mud

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