DUSHANBE, July 2, 2014, Asia-Plus – Tajik power engineering specialist, Anatoly Kolesnichenko, has worked out the project that aims to ensure joint operation of Tajik and Kyrgyz power systems – Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Power Exchange Bridge (REVTK 2000).

Kolesnichenko says he worked out the project for the purpose of drawing Tajik and Kyrgyz governments’ attention to the problem of meeting their countries requirements in electricity during autumn-winter period without considerable investment as well as the Russian Ministry of Energy’s attention to the possibility of participation in that project.

“Both REVKT 2000 and CASA 1000 provides for use of surplus power generated by Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan during summer period  but the CASA 1000 Project does not resolve the problem of power shortages in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan during autumn-winter period,” said Kolesnichenko.  “Moreover, CASA 100 is quite expensive project costing 970 million U.S. dollars and it will be repaid only within 10-15 years.  Besides, there is also threat of political instability in the importer countries.”

We will recall that the development objective of the 1000 Electricity Transmission and Trade Project for Central Asia and South Asia (CASA 1000) is to create the conditions for sustainable electricity trade between the Central Asian countries of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and the South Asian countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Meanwhile, REVTK 2000 provides for use of summer electricity for production of winter electric power; the estimated budget for implementation of this project is 160-200 million U.S. dollars and it is quite profitable for Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan,” Kolesnichenko said.

The project reportedly provides for construction of a 500Vt power transmission line Datka-Khujand and additional filling of reservoir powering the Toktogul hydropower plant by spring 2015.

“Interstate control board consisting of representatives of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with deciding votes and representatives of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with consultative votes is needed for coordination of joint operation of the power systems,” said Kolesnichenko.  “It is also necessary to conduct consultations with Russia’s Ministry of Energy regarding possible participation of Russia in the project.”