Iran's water rights, energy cooperation take center stage in minister's visit to Afghanistan
Tehran - BORNA - As neighboring countries with deep historical and cultural ties, Iran and Afghanistan possess numerous capacities for mutual cooperation. During the visit, discussions centered on the construction and repair of thermal and wind power plants by Iranian engineers, alongside the critical issue of shared rivers and wetlands.
In a joint meeting with the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, local business leaders highlighted existing challenges in their power and water infrastructure, expressing readiness to utilize Iranian specialized knowledge and equipment. In response, Aliabadi emphasized the capability of Iranian companies to help resolve Afghanistan's infrastructural shortcomings, drawing on Iran's extensive experience in building and overhauling power plants in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Oman, and Pakistan.
A key topic of discussion was the reduction of power grid losses. Reports indicate Afghanistan's electricity network losses currently stand at 24 percent. Iranian Deputy Energy Minister for Electricity and Energy Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi noted that Iran, having successfully reduced its own grid losses from 20 percent to under 10 percent, is well-positioned to assist Kabul in this area to ultimately improve the quality of electricity supply to the Afghan people.
To formalize these efforts, a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Iran's Thermal Power Plants Holding Company (TPPH), Iran's state-run power company Tavanir, and Afghanistan's national power utility (DABS). The agreement covers power generation, transmission, distribution, human resource training, maintenance, and the overhaul of power plant equipment.
Securing the Islamic Republic's water rights formed another crucial pillar of the negotiations. The two sides discussed joint water management and the active involvement of Iranian consultants, contractors, and manufacturers in Afghan water projects. The Afghan side explicitly requested the use of Iranian technical and engineering expertise in this sector.
Deputy Energy Minister for Water and Wastewater Affairs Hamidreza Janbaz stated that sustained dialogue and a clear agenda could help secure Iran's objectives regarding shared water resources and related wetland issues.
The visit marks a significant step toward exploring mutual capacities. The implementation of these agreements is expected to pave the way for a broader presence of Iranian technical and engineering firms in Afghanistan's ongoing reconstruction and development efforts.
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