ADB may help fund power line from Central Asia to Pakistan
- Written by Interfax
DUSHANBE, Dec 27 (Interfax). The Asian Development Bank is considering participation in the CASA-1000 project, which will see construction of a power line from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan, the head of the ADB office in Tajikistan Joji Tokeshi said at a press conference Monday.
"We are taking part in the discussions about this project. We are studying the situation now. We need to look at all sides," Tokeshi said.
The government of Tajikistan strongly favors the project. "This [CASA-1000] is a very beneficial project for Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The studies carried out have shown the project's viability, it is important for Tajikistan," Nematdzhon Buriev, the Tajik president's economic policy advisor, said at a press conference.
The CASA-1000 power line may be extended to Kazakhstan, creating a Central and Southern Asia energy system.
Uzbekistan is against the project because construction of CASA-1000 is only practical if the Kambaratinsk HPP in Kyrgyzstan and Rogun HPP in Tajikistan cascades are completed, located in the upper reaches of Syr Darya and Amu Darya, respectively. Construction of the hydro facilities will, according to Uzbekistan, harm the country's agriculture sector because of the predicted water flow reduction.
The CASA-1000 project is valued at $963 million. Potential investors in the project include Russian energy companies.
ADB has recently approved a grant program for Tajikistan, according to which the country will receive $215.1 million.
