Major electricity importing project to be inaugurated in May

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that the $1.17 billion Central Asia South Asia electricity importing project, or CASA-1000, will be inaugurated by officials on May 12th. Officials from the four main countries involved, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Pakistan will meet for a ground-breaking ceremony in Tajikistan. The Krygyz Republic and Tajikistan have an abundance of hydro-power resources, as a result of water cascading from their mountain ranges, and both Afghanistan and Pakistan are in desperate need of energy. The project will connect the four countries and enable energy surpluses to be be sent down to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

A 1,250 km high voltage transmission line will be built so that electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic can be sent down to Afghanistan and Pakistan. 75% of the transmission lines will be in Afghanistan. Furthermore, a high voltage transformer will be built in Baghlan province’s Pul-e Khumri in order to supply 300 mega watts of electricity to Afghanistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that Afghanistan will have an income of $45 million per year because of the project.

Lack of adequate electricity supplies is a major detriment to the economic development and security situation in Afghanistan. This project can help to improve transportation, telecommunications, industry, social services systems, and even reduce pollution in Afghanistan. Air pollution is a major problem in Afghanistan as a result of people burning wood for heating and cooking.

Map of the transmission line