A GIS approach to electrification planning in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is the lowest income country in South Asia and emerging from over three decades of conflict. The country is actively seeking ways to accelerate growth through increased investment, on one of the country’s most severe infrastructure bottlenecks, energy.

KTH dESA and the World Bank , have collaboratively developed a National High Resolution Electrification Plan, aiming to inform the Government of Afghanistan about which technology and financing options can be pledged and sought for full electrification of the country by 2030.

Results and findings upon various electrification scenarios, were presented by KTH researchers  and  on a three-day workshop held in Dubai on July 11-12-13. During the workshop, GIS experts from various Afghan institutions (AEIC, KUP, DABS, CRIDA, MRRD, AGCHO) were introduced to the OnSSET tool ( OnSSET.org ) and discussed along with Word Bank energy specialists upon the functionality and usability of the tool in their national energy access planning efforts.