Energy Sector Strategy 2008. Country/Territory Afghanistan Document type Date 2008 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Energy Keyword Sustainable development Energy conservation/energy production Renewable energy Governance Natural gas Coal Oil Geographical area Asia, ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, Landlocked Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries, Southern Asia Entry into force notes 2007/2008 - 2012/2013 Abstract This Energy Sector Strategy is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at providing overall guidance on achieving Afghanistan’s energy sector goals in a timely and cost-effective manner. The Strategy is included in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), which reflects the commitment of the Government to poverty reduction and private sector-led economic growth for a prosperous and stable Afghanistan. The Vision for the energy sector seeks for "an energy sector that provides citizens of Afghanistan and drivers of growth in the economy with long-term reliable, affordable energy access based on private market-based sector investment and public sector oversight". The Strategy contains an implicit prioritization of energy sub-sector activities (priority is then assigned to other sub-sectors based on their supporting role in electricity and in overall economic activity) and it is based on 5 pillars as follows (i) increased efficiency in existing operation instead of building a new generating plant; (ii) improved sector governance and public private partnership promotion; (iii) improved coordination and capacity development; (iv) rural energy versus rural electrification to be developed for economic activities that lack energy and that will pay for it, thereby subsidizing rural energy; and (v) expanded or new supply, considering alternative supplies such as wind energy or reducing consumption. Consequently, main goals of the Strategy are (i) restructured sector governance and cost-recoverable operations; (ii) rehabilitation and expansion of the public power grid; (iii) attraction of private investment in the energy sector to develop indigenous energy resources (including renewable, natural gas, coal and oil); (iv) improved rural energy access and electricity services; and (v) development of indigenous resources for power and energy use. Full text English