Natural gas is a major source of electricity generation that is well- suited for use in combination with renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydropower. Natural gas burns more cleanly than other fuels, such as oil and coal, producing only about half the carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour (kWh) that coal does. Combined cycle power generation using natural gas is at present the cleanest source of power using hydrocarbon fuels.
As of 2014, natural gas was used to generate 22% of the world’s total electricity, according to the International Energy Agency.
Afghanistan has significant natural gas reserves, distributed in three basins –Northern, Kabul/ Katawaz and Helmand. There is known to be 440 BCM of gas reserves in the northern region. In addition to being used domestically for electricity and heating, natural gas can be transferred to Tajikistan, which faces severe energy shortages during the winter. Previously, in the 1970s and 1980s, Afghanistan sold natural gas to the Soviet Union.