The Energy Sector of Afghanistan and Its Cooperation with The SCO Countries

The article examines the state of the energy sector in Afghanistan, as well as its infrastructural and future transit potential. The researcher draws attention to the topical issues of the internal political development of the Islamic republic, where, until 2020, there existed a dual power. Because of this, the country's socio-economic development is complicated, including in the energy sector. The author concludes that Afghanistan is an area of collision of geopolitical and geoeconomic interests of the leading world powers (Great Britain and the United States) on the one hand and regional powers (Pakistan, Iran and India and the countries of Central Asia (Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) on the other. In the medium and long term, the Islamic republic will not be able to solve the problems with internal and external (international) security due to the strong influence of the Islamist Taliban movement in the provinces.

Nevertheless, the leadership of Afghanistan, represented by the incumbent President Ashraf Ghani, is making attempts to improve social and economic life and reduce energy dependence in the Republic. The main focus within the country in the energy sector is Kabul's construction of hydroelectric power plants and the development of a network of power transmission lines (power transmission lines), since the country is mostly mountainous. However, there is a constant series of Taliban attacks even on power lines, which leaves some areas without electricity for several days. All this does not contribute to the socio-economic development of the population of the Islamic Republic. On the other hand, the Turkmen side is planning to build the Afghan section of the TAPI gas pipeline this year. Despite significant security problems, Afghanistan, located at the crossroads of transport communications between the Middle East, Central, South Asia and China, possesses great transit potential. This is facilitated, in particular, by the participation of the Islamic Republic in the Lapis-Lazuli Transit project. The author notes that Kabul seeks to develop trade and economic relations not only with neighboring countries in the region, as well as Azerbaijan and Turkey (along the Lapis Lazuli Corridor), but also with Russia and China in terms of security and the establishment of a process of national reconciliation between the official authorities and the Taliban movement.

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