DUSHANBE, March 3, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Objectives of the Central Asia–South Asia Electricity Transmission Project (CASA-1000) are aligned with the World Bank Group’s goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, Ms. Laura Tuck, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, noted in her letter sent to Uzbek Minister of Economy Galina Saidova on January 7, 2014.

The letter says that the World Bank Group views CASA-1000 as an important step in building a functioning, efficient electricity system across Central Asia and South Asia.

“Throughout the Bank’s consideration and preparation of CASA-1000, we have strived to maintain a transparent, inclusive approach,” Ms. Tuck noted in the letter.

“In February 2011, an update to the original feasibility report for CASA-1000 was completed.  This report showed that for the 20-year period covered by the study (2016-35) both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will continue to have sufficient summer-time hydropower surpluses to export power to South Asia without adding new power generation capacity.”

The World Bank vice-president emphasizes in her letter that the summer-time hydropower supplies could be made available through rehabilitating the power generation capacities existing in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan as well as through reducing electricity losses in these countries.

We will recall that Uzbekistan has repeatedly opposed the CASA 1000 project stating that the project is allegedly contrary to international norms.

We will recall that the CASA-1000 project proposes the sale of unused summer generation capacity in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The plan is expected to generate revenue for Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, boost energy availability in Afghanistan and Pakistan and help create a regional energy grid.

CASA 1000 is designed to transmit 1,300MW of surplus electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan through Afghanistan, which is going to consume 300MW, to Pakistan.

The CASA 1000 Project is expected to develop the necessary physical infrastructure and create the institutional and legal framework to transmit surplus power available from existing generation facilities in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The physical infrastructure for CASA 1000 is likely to include: a 500 kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system between Tajikistan and Pakistan through Afghanistan; an AC transmission link from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to connect to the HVDC line from Tajikistan to South Asia;  and the necessary electricity sub-stations in Kabul, Peshawar and Sangtuda (in Tajikistan).