Kabul residents say they have electricity in their homes only limited hours per day, but their electricity bills have increased.

The residents added that the lack of electricity has made life difficult for them, as the third wave of COVID-19 is spreading and the weather is getting hot.

Residents allege that the nation's electric company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherket (DABS), is not capable of providing standard electricity for the citizens.  

“The power outages are so frequent, the officials should define and create a proper strategy to address the power outage problem,” said Kanishka, a Kabul resident.     

“There is no electricity in winter at all, we don’t have electricity in spring either,” said Sahel, a Kabul resident. 

“When we sleep, there is no electricity and when we wake up, there is no electricity, either. We do not know what electricity is!” said Khalid, another Kabul resident. 

The targeting of power pylons since the beginning of the current solar year in the north of Kabul has been one of the reasons for power outages in Kabul and other provinces. 

“According to the country’s applicable laws, the destruction of power pylons and public facilities by individuals and groups is considered a crime,” said Faiz Mohammad Zadran, an expert in the energy sector. 

Although the government has repeatedly talked of taking measures to prevent the targeting of power pylons, it does not seem to be addressing the issue, as the destruction has continued across the country in recent months. 

Breshna officials say that due to the blowing-up of two power poles in Salang district in Parwan province last week, there is a shortage of 200 megawatts of electricity in the capital’s power network and the company is currently cutting the power of the capital for up to 14 hours every 24 hours. 

“Breshna has been grappling with the power shortage  over the last two months,” said Sangar Niazi, a spokesman for Breshna. 

According to information provided by Breshna, Kabul currently requires 500 megawatts of electricity, of which 100 megawatts are domestically produced and another 200 megawatts are imported, leaving a deficit of 200 megawatts.  

A number of economic experts who criticize the irregularities in the supply of energy services in the country are calling on the government to review Breshna’s plans and to find a solution for the electricity problems as the citizens across the country suffer power outages.