Engulfed in the Dark
Every day, millions of Afghans face the tough reality of living without regular electricity. Only 35 percent of the country has access to electricity, and even those who have a connection have to endure blackouts for as many as 16 hours a day. There is no national grid connection in eleven provinces, leaving families, hospitals, and schools dependent on small generators and seasonal hydropower—both unreliable and expensive.
Afghanistan’s energy deficit is massive. The country needs 4,800 megawatts of electricity, but only 700megawatts are currently available. Homes go dark, businesses slow down, and essential public services struggle to operate. Nowhere is the impact more devastating than in hospitals and schools, where the lack of power is not just an inconvenience—it is a matter of survival.
For hospitals and health centers, electricity is the difference between life and death. Yet, many of them operate under extreme conditions, relying on costly, fuel-guzzling generators that often fail when they are needed most. Life-saving machines like oxygen concentrators and X-ray devices sit idle, while patients endure cold, dark rooms. In delivery wards and operating rooms, doctors and nurses sometimes have to use flashlights from their mobile phones to carry out emergency procedures.
Schools are no different. Many have no electrical wiring, making even the most basic classroom equipment useless. Computer labs remain silent, and students swelter in summer temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, with no fans or air conditioning to provide relief. Without electricity, schools also struggle to provide clean drinking water and proper sanitation, creating yet another barrier to education.
The problem goes beyond healthcare and education. Diesel generators, while offering temporary relief, contribute to a much bigger crisis. They pump toxic pollutants into the air, worsening respiratory illnesses and adding to the country’s growing climate challenges. As Afghanistan battles these overlapping crises, one solution is proving to be a game-changer: solar energy.
Harnessing the Power of the Sun
To tackle these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Sustainable Energy Services for Education and Health in Afghanistan (SESEHA) project, is bringing solar power to hospitals, clinics, and schools across the country.
Solar energy is not just a source of electricity—it is a source of resilience. With solar power systems in place, hospitals can run essential medical equipment without fear of blackouts. Students can learn in well-lit classrooms, use technology, and focus on their education without being held back by unbearable heat or poor facilities. Communities that once relied on expensive diesel generators now have access to a clean, sustainable, and cost-effective energy source.
“This initiative is about more than just keeping the lights on,” said Stephen Rodrigues, UNDP Resident Representative for Afghanistan. “It’s about making sure that even the most remote communities have access to clean, reliable energy and access to healthcare and education.”
Brining Solar Power to Healthcare
In Feroznakhcheer, the local health center was once a place where patients waited for care in dimly lit rooms, unsure if the equipment needed to treat them would work. Mothers like Arzo struggled to get even basic medical attention, and families often had to travel long distances—at great cost—to reach facilities with reliable power.
That changed when UNDP installed a solar photovoltaic system at the center, creating a stable and sustainable power source. Now, patients no longer have to worry about power cuts disrupting their treatment.
“Now we no longer need to travel far or pay extra for basic health services,” Arzo said, reflecting on how much easier life has become for her and her community.
In Bamyan, the Clinic for treating women’s addiction faced similar struggles. Frequent power cuts made it difficult to provide consistent medical care, and unreliable electricity meant that medical equipment could not always be used. But today, thanks to the solar energy system, the clinic operates without interruption, ensuring that women on their path to recovery receive the care they need.
“Thanks to this project, we can now offer stable and high-quality care,” said Dr. Mansoureh, emphasizing how something as simple as clean and reliable electricity has transformed patient outcomes.
Bringing Light to Classrooms
In the Hazrat Sultan district of Samangan Province, Kokjar Girls’ High School was without electricity, students sat in stifling classrooms, computer labs remained unused, and the school struggled to provide even basic services.
That is no longer the situation now because of the solar photovoltaic system. The transformation was immediate. Classrooms are now bright and comfortable, giving students an environment where they can focus on learning. The school’s long-abandoned computer labs are finally in use, giving students access to technology that was previously out of reach.
“No student will suffer heatstroke this summer,” said Beheshta, the school’s headmaster. Her relief was evident, as she described how the solar installation has not only improved conditions in the school but also opened new possibilities for her students.
Scaling Up: Expanding Solar Power Across Afghanistan
The impact of solar energy is growing. In 2023, UNDP installed solar power systems in 200 schools and healthcare facilities. By 2025, the initiative will expand even further, bringing sustainable energy to 736 additional facilities, including 586 schools, 178 health centers, 30 district hospitals, and 18 provincial and regional hospitals.
These efforts are expected to benefit more than 2.1 million people, where 1.2 million are women and girls. The transition to solar energy is also reducing Afghanistan’s carbon footprint, cutting an estimated 23,206 metric tons of CO₂ emissions per year. By replacing diesel generators with solar power, these interventions are improving air quality, lowering energy costs, and making Afghanistan more climate resilient.
A Brighter, More Sustainable Future
For the hospitals that can now provide uninterrupted medical care, for the students learning in well-equipped classrooms, and for the communities no longer dependent on unreliable and polluting energy sources, solar power is more than just a technical solution—it is a lifeline.
The shift to renewable energy is ensuring that no community is left behind. It is helping Afghanistan build a future where healthcare and education are not luxuries but basic needs, available to all.
“With solar power, service delivery of public health and educational facilities is improving. There is an increase in the number of people seeking medical care, and increased enrollment of students” said Butchaiah Gadde, UNDP SESEHA Project Manager.
This case study is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of clean energy in some of the most underserved areas of Afghanistan. By introducing solar power to schools and health facilities, the UNDP is not only lighting up buildings—it’s lighting the path to a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable future. The real-life stories from communities, like Arzo’s access to local healthcare or Beheshta’s revitalized school, bring a deeply human dimension to the project’s success. It’s inspiring to see solar energy being used not just as a technical solution, but as a true lifeline that empowers women, saves lives, and gives students a brighter future—literally and figuratively. A remarkable step forward for energy resilience and social progress in Afghanistan. Thank You UNDP Afghanistan.
Please log in or sign up to comment.