PhD defence A. (Ajmal) Shirzai

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation: 

This PhD thesis explores how solar energy spreads in countries affected by conflict, using Afghanistan as a case study. The research looks at the years 2005 to 2020, when Afghanistan was rebuilding after war and starting to form new institutions for renewable energy. Although the country has strong solar potential, progress has been limited by insecurity, weak governance, poor infrastructure, and dependence on foreign aid.
The study asks three main questions: what factors influence the spread of solar energy, how these factors interact at national, regional, and local levels, and how the overall process can be understood in fragile environments. It examines six key factors: governance, finance, physical and infrastructural conditions, supplier quality, user capacity, and conflict intensity.
Using both numbers and narratives—such as policy documents, statistics, and interviews—the study shows how policy reforms after 2015 improved coordination, shifted financing from donors to the Afghan government, and led to larger, more stable solar projects.
The findings reveal that conflict plays a double role. It often destroys centralized systems, creating urgent demand for local solar solutions, but it also increases risks and costs. Solar capacity rose from 10 MW in 2005 to nearly 168 MW in 2020. The study concludes that adaptive governance, local partnerships, and conflict-sensitive planning are essential for successful renewable energy transitions in fragile states. Its lessons go beyond Afghanistan and can help guide sustainable energy development in other conflict-affected parts of the Global South.