The Energy Ministers of Tajikistan (Daler Juma), Kyrgyzstan (Taalaibek Ibrayev) and Pakistan (Muhammad Ali) met in Dubai, UAE on December 6 on the sidelines of the COP28 to discuss the process of implementation of the 1000 Electricity Transmission and Trade Project for Central Asia and South Asia (CASA 1000), the press center of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan (MoEWR) says. 

It was reportedly noted during the meeting that construction of the sections of CASA 100 Project in these countries is nearing completion.  

According to the MoEWR press center, the parties unanimously called for the early start of commercial operation of this power interregional transmission line. 

The ministers have reportedly prepared a joint appeal in which they call on international financial institutions to promote expansion of work within the framework of the project.  

The report does not specify what kind of expansion of the work in the appeal is being discussed.

Most likely, the ministers ask to facilitate the resumption of work on construction of the project in the territory of Afghanistan, since without the participation of this country the project makes no sense. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Business Recorder says Pakistani Minister of Energy Muhammad Ali held a meeting with Minister for Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Daler Juma on December 5 on the sidelines of the COP28.

Areas of mutual concern and interest were reportedly discussed.  Both sides showed their commitment towards exploring future opportunities in the energy sector and beyond.

Daler Juma reportedly invited Muhammad Ali to visit Tajikistan.

The CASA-1000 project aims at developing energy corridor and land connectivity between Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The 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.

A total cost of the project, which will bring electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan, is more than 1.086 billion U.S. dollars.  

The necessary funds have been allocated by the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 

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 (Afghanistan), Peshawar (Pakistan) and Sangtuda (Tajikistan).           

According to the unit for implementation of the project in Tajikistan, a total length of the power transmission lines is 289 kilometers in the territory of Tajikistan, 570 kilometers in the territory of Afghanistan, 450 kilometers in the territory of Kyrgyzstan and a small part falls on the territory of Pakistan.