CASA-1000

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that uninterrupted electricity will surely raise the living standards of the people. He was addressing the Quadrilateral Session of CASA-1000 conference in Dushanbe on Thursday, which was also attended by President of the host country, President of Afghanistan, and Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan. Nawaz Sharif while reiterating commitment of Pakistan for early implementation of CASA-1000 project said that Pakistan needs energy for its socio-economic development and to run its industrial sector to its full potential. He said the project would help generate employment opportunities and uplift standards of living of people of Pakistan. He expressed satisfaction that some of the world’s leading manufacturers have expressed their keen interest to provide Converter Stations for CASA-1000. He also pointed out that tenders for transmission lines from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan and from Tajikistan to Afghanistan have been floated and are currently being evaluated. Mian Nawaz Sharif described CASA-1000 as flagship project in the region connecting Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia to Afghanistan and Pakistan in South Asia through an electricity grid.
After completion of this project Pakistan will get 1,000 MW and Afghanistan 300 MW electricity in summer time, from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. This project will help bring a number of economic, social and environmental benefits to member countries. This project is an important step toward realization of the planned Central Asia -South Asia Regional Electricity Market. It will also be a good example of promoting cooperation between energy-deficient South Asia and energy-rich Central Asia. CASA-1000 Power Project will not only bring revenues to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan but will also mitigate electricity shortages in Pakistan and Afghanistan and increase the prospects for growth. It will also be a source of revenue for Afghanistan opening up greater business and investment opportunities.
This project contains the value to reduce the energy deficit, create jobs, improve trade and reduce carbon dioxide emissions thanks to the supply of clean energy. It will also contribute to regional integration. Pakistan should also explore new avenues of cooperation with central Asian countries by increasing collaboration in economy, defence and security, agriculture and education.
Along with providing electricity CASA-1000 would also be vital for regional connectivity.