DUSHANBE, June 19, Asia-Plus — A government-to-government power trading agreement will be signed between Tajikistan and Afghanistan tomorrow, according to Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding,
The source at Barqi Tojik said that Tajik electrical power will be transmitted to the neighboring country via a 220kV power-transmission line Sangtuda-1 – Pul-e Khumri (Afghanistan). Construction of this power grid is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which has allocated a $50 million loan for the project.
The project includes construction of the power grid and modernization of one of units at the Golovnaya hydropower plant in Sarband, Khatlon province. The estimated budget for construction of the power-transmission line alone is some $23 million, the source said.
Under the agreement construction of 120-kilometer power grid Sangtuda-1 – Pul-e Khumri will start this autumn and will be finished in spring 2010.
In 2010-2015, Tajikistan will supply electrical power to Afghanistan only during summer months, and only with introduction into operation of the first unit of the Roghun hydroelectric power station, Tajik electricity supplies to Afghanistan will be year-round.
In the meantime, Tajikistan currently supplies up to 220,000 kWh of electricity to Afghanistan per day. According to Barqi Tojik, electricity is exported to Afghanistan only during summer months and on average, Tajikistan exports some 50 million kWh of electricity to the neighboring country during summer months.
