KABUL, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan caretaker government began the work of a 22.7-megawatt solar power generating project in the capital Kabul on Tuesday, the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs has said in a statement.
Constructed for 18 million U.S. dollars by the private sector in Sarobi district, 60 km east of Kabul city, the project would be completed within a year, the statement added.
During the inauguration ceremony, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs, said that it will not only help address Afghanistan's power shortage but also contribute to global efforts in environmental protection.
Afghanistan has been facing a power shortage. The country is largely dependent on power imported from the neighboring states of Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. ■