Tajikistan expects international CASA-1000 power line to be operational in 2027
DUSHANBE. March 3 (Interfax) - The cross-border high-voltage power transmission line CASA-1000 (Central Asia - South Asia), which will connect the Kyrgyz and Tajik energy systems with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is expected to become operational in 2027, the Tajik Energy and Water Resources Ministry said.
"The CASA-1000 project is the largest regional project involving four countries. Fortunately, construction work in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has been completed. Construction in Pakistan is progressing at a rapid pace. It is expected that construction work in Pakistan will be completed in the first half of this year," Tajik Energy and Water Resources Minister Daler Juma told journalists in Dushanbe.
The main issue facing the project in recent years was the suspension of funding for the Afghan section by development partners. "After prolonged negotiations and recognizing the importance of the project, this issue was resolved at the international level with development partners. Last year, funding for the Afghan section was resumed. Construction is ongoing, and it is expected that work on the Afghan section will be completed by the end of 2026. The project will be fully operational in 2027," Juma said.
As previously reported, the CASA-1000 line will enable the creation of a unified electricity market and year-round energy trade. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will be able to export 1,300 MW of surplus electricity to South Asian countries during the summer. The project is supported by the World Bank Group, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and several donor organizations.
The official launch of construction work on the CASA-1000 project took place in May 2016.
By early February 2024, Tajikistan had almost completed all work for the CASA-1000 power line construction project, with only issues related to adjustment and connection remaining, Juma said.
The construction of energy infrastructure under the CASA-1000 project in Kyrgyzstan was completed in November 2024.
"After a two-year delay, the project resumed in May 2024 with financial support from the World Bank. It was expected that it would be completed by the end of 2025. The relaunch of this project was initiated at the request of the region's countries and with Afghanistan's full confidence that all necessary conditions would be met," Afghanistan's national power company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, said.
