DUSHANBE, December 26, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Indian companies – KEC International Ltd (KEC) and RPG Transmission – have bee granted a contract for construction of a 220 kilovolt double circuit transmission line that will link the hydroelectric power plant (HPP) Sangtuda-1 to Afghan border, Asia-Plus has learned from Barqi Tojik power holding.

The source at Barqi Tojik said that construction of that power grid that would link the Sangtuda-1 station to the Afghan town of Pul-e Khumri is expected to be completed in the first half-year of 2010.

”The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development provide 19 million dollars  for construction of this power transmission line,” said the source.  “After introduction of this section into commission, the Indian companies intend to participate in construction of the grid from the Tajik border via Afghan capital to the border of Pakistanas as well.”

KEC International is one of the largest Power Transmission EPC companies in the world.  It has helped transmit power to various countries that include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, USA, UAE and Vietnam.

RPG Enterprises is one of India''s largest industrial conglomerates.  With over 20 companies in its fold, the group has a strong presence in 8 business sectors.  These include power, tyre, transmission, IT, retail, entertainment, carbon black, and specialty.

In the meantime, press release issued by KEC on December 19 said that KEC added one more country to its already illustrious list of 41 countries where it has its footprints, by bagging an order from Barqi Tojik.  The order is a turnkey project for the supply and construction of 220 kV double circuit lines associated with the Tajikistan-Afghanistan Interconnection Project for the Tajikistan Portion.  The lines are to be constructed from Karadum to Vatz (89.37 km) and from Vatz to Sangtuda (28.29 km).  The contract also involves construction of additional 2 X 220 KV Line Bays at the Sangtuda Switchyard.  The total length of lines is 118 km and the project is scheduled to be completed in 18 months.