Practically nothing has been done in three years ahead of completion of the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade (CASA-1000) Project while some participants in the project have practically already dropped out of it… Actually, the project has narrowed to supply of Tajikistan’s electricity to Pakistan.
The project was discussed at a quadrilateral summit of CASA-1000 member nations in Tajikistan on July 6.
Recall, Tajik leader has called on nations participating in CASA-1000 project to speed up the process of the implementation of the project.
In a statement delivered at the quadrilateral summit of CASA-1000 member nations, Emomali Rahmon, particular, noted that because of the delay in the implementation of the project, the participating countries annually lose more than 500 million USD in total. He proposed holding regular meetings of the competent officials of the project participating countries. Tajik leader also proposed considering the possibility of holding annual high-level meetings of the project participating countries.
The CASA-1000 project aims at developing energy corridor and land connectivity between Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade (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 scheduled to be completed in 2020. The total cost of the project amounts to 1.7 billion U.S. dollars.
The Project is expected to develop the necessary physical infrastructure and create the institutional and legal framework to transmit surplus power available from existing generation facilities in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The physical infrastructure for CASA 1000 includes: a 500 kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system between Tajikistan and Pakistan through Afghanistan; an AC transmission link from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to connect to the HVDC line from Tajikistan to South Asia; and the necessary electricity sub-stations in Kabul, Peshawar and Sangtuda (in Tajikistan).
