KABUL - The Central Asia South Asia electricity import project CASA-1000 would be inaugurated this week by government leaders in Tajikistan, an official said on Sunday.
“Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah at the head of a high-level delegation will be visiting Tajikistan this week to take part in the launching ceremony of the vital energy project,” said CEO’s deputy spokesman Javed Faisal.
Abdullah would be accompanied by foreign and economy ministers, Cabinet members, parliament members and other key government officials on the trip.
Faisal said Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Tajik and Kyrgyz presidents would also attend the event.
An agreement on the CASA project was first inked between Afghan and Pakistani officials in Washington in 2014.
Under the agreement, the supply line from Central Asia would go through Afghanistan into South Asia and Kabul would get 1.25 cent per each kilo watt supplied to Pakistan.
The project includes a 750km high voltage direct current (DC) transmission system between Tajikistan and Pakistan via Afghanistan, together with associated converter stations at Sangtuda (1,300MW), Kabul (300MW) and Peshawar (1,300MW).
A 477km 500kV alternating current facility would also run between the Kyrgyz Republic (Datka) and Tajikistan (Khoujand). System upgrades would also be required to safely and reliably accommodate the AC and DC facilities and the associated power flows.
The Casa-1000 transmission line to Peshawar would be capable of delivering 1,300MW — 1,000MW to Pakistan and 300MW to Afghanistan.  The imported electricity would be available from May to October. The estimated cost of the project is $1.17bn, including $208m interest.
CASA-1000 will enable the development of the Central Asia South Asia Regional Electricity Market (CASAREM) – a long-term plan for regional energy trade. (Pajhwok)