Pakistan has launched construction work on the Torkham-to-Nowshera portion of the $1.17 billion Central Asia-South Asia Regional Trade and Transmission Project (CASA-1000). Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan and President of Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Dr Bandar Hajjar inaugurated construction of 113-kilometre electricity transmission lines project from Pak-Afghan border to Nowshera under the South Asia Central Asia Regional Trade and Transmission project (CASA-1000) in a virtual event.
The approximate cost of the project is $1.17 billion. National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) will undertake construction of a 113-kilometre electricity transmission line from the Pak-Afghan border to Nowshera. The project is to be completed by the end of next year.
Federal Secretary Power Division, Ali Raza Bhutta and senior officials of Power Division, representatives of development partners, UN agencies, & related people were present on the occasion.
Speaking to the participants, the Minister for Energy, appreciated the efforts of member countries and sponsoring partners for financing the construction of power transmission lines infrastructure in Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan under the CASA-1000 Project.
Dr Bandar Hajjar while speaking at the occasion said“This project will ensure major regional integration and bolster the electricity market. It will help meet an increasing energy demand in Pakistan and end power shortages during the summer. It will enable the supply of as much as 4,500 GWh of sustainable and clean electricity,”
The CASA-1000 project is a 1,270km power transmission line that is expected to export excess hydropower generated in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan.
