DUSHANBE, December 5, 2014, Asia-Plus -- A hydroelectric agreement between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan was signed in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday December 4, Subhiddin Muhiddinov, a senior consultant to the Tajik president’s press center, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

First Deputy Prime Minister led the Tajik delegation while Afghan, Kyrgyz and Pakistani delegations were led by their respective energy ministers.

The project, known as the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), is expected to be completed by 2018 under the umbrella of the World Bank. Tajikistan’s share in the energy export will be 70%, while Kyrgyzstan will export 30%.

Afghanistan will consume 300MW of the exported energy while Pakistan will receive 1,000MW electricity. It is hoped that the project will boost energy trade in the region that will lead to sustainable development.

Pakistani media sources report that under the agreement, Pakistan will import 1,000 megawatts electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan at a price of 9.35 cents including all charges.