DUSHANBE, December 23, 2015, Asia-Plus — Issues related to ratification of six agreements on the landmark regional electricity transmission project, known as CASA 1000 (1000 Electricity Transmission and Trade Project for Central Asia and South Asia) have been tabled to the agenda of a regular sitting of the second session of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament that will take place on December 24.
An official source at Majlisi Namoyandagon says the following agreements are expected to be ratified: 1) a guarantee agreement between Tajikistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on CASA 1000; 2) a loan agreement between Barqi Tojik and the EBRD on CASA 1000; 3) a financing agreement between Tajikistan and the International Development Association (IDA) on CASA 1000; 4) an agreement between Barqi Tojik and the IDA on CASA 1000; 5) a loan agreement between Tajikistan and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on Tajikistan’s share in CASA 1000; and 6) a loan agreement between Tajikistan and the European Investment Bank on CASA 1000.
In all, about 314 million U.S. dollars are reportedly needed for construction of the Tajik section of the regional power transmission line, which will bring electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
A total cost of the CASA 1000 Project is more than 1 billion U.S. dollars.
The CASA-1000 Project demonstrates landmark cooperation among Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The modern and efficient CASA-1000 electricity transmission system will help transform the region and signify an important step toward realizing the planned Central Asia-South Asia Regional Electricity Market (CASAREM). The CASAREM initiative will help not only these four countries, but also improve the electricity systems and develop inter-regional cooperation between Central Asia and South Asia.
The CASA-1000 Project is ambitious but achievable. When compared with the 340,000-kilometer North American grid or the 230,000-kilometer European power system, the 1,222-kilometer CASA-1000 transmission project seems quite achievable but it will take time, long-term planning, and cooperation.
