This paper presents the Cost Optimization of hybrid
energy systems in two of the most important provinces of
Afghanistan, electrification of Khulm district (Uljato) for Balkh
province and Zendeh Jan district (Hotel Safid) for Herat province
is purposed in this study. HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model
for Electric Renewables) pro version 3.23.8 is used for
optimization, simulation and sensitivity analysis, HOMER is a
great software to design and evaluate technically and financially
the options for off-grid and on-grid power systems. Renewable
resources for selected areas are analyzed in Global Solar atlas
(GSA) and Global wind atlas (GWA} the result is compared with
the meteorological tower data set, the GSA/GWA is the online
website that provides a summary of solar potential, solar
resources, wind speed, wind density, and other related factors
globally. it is provided from World Bank Group with funding from
the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).
The modeling of the hybrid system is purposed as grid-connected
for both sites, the system is designed for 2.348MW and 1.622MW
for Khulm and Zendeh Jan district respectively, and 10% of load
variability is considered. as a result of the study, the Levelized cost
of energy (LCOE) from the hybrid system is obtained 0.0566
USD/kWh and 0.0537 USD/kWh for Khulm and Zendeh Jan
district respectively which will be 30 to 50 percent cheaper than
the price of electricity that is imported from neighboring
countries. The total electricity generation for Khulm and Zendeh
Jan districts from solar and wind are 7,988,376 kWh/year and
6,218,710 kWh/year respectively. Accessibility of electricity is the
important factor for the economic growth of Afghanistan, more
than 1000MW of electricity is imported from neighboring
countries that are not sustainable and reliable, while Afghanistan
has a great potential of renewable energy sources (REs) whose
utilization could help to lessen future supply gaps at a cost level
that are economically and financially attractive The development
of domestic generation is vital for Afghanistan and renewable
energy sources (RES) with great potential can successfully be
harnessed to meet these two requirements. Besides these
renewable energies (REs) are clean energies, friendly with the
environment, free of harmful emissions, and have a great impact
on the reduction of global warming and climate change.