Kyrgyzstan completes key infrastructure for CASA-1000 electricity project

The National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan (NEGK) has completed the construction of critical infrastructure for the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000). This includes 1,243 pylons, 456.06 km of transmission lines, and a substation bay at the 500 kV Datka substation.

The CASA-1000 project aims to facilitate the trade of 1,300 MW of electricity among Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The initiative will transport surplus hydroelectric power from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to energy-deficient Pakistan (1,000 MW) and Afghanistan (300 MW). Key infrastructure includes a 475-km, 500 kV HVAC line from Datka (Kyrgyzstan) to Khudjand (Tajikistan), 1,300 MW HVDC converter stations at Sangtuda (Tajikistan) and Nowshera (Pakistan), and an 800-km ±500 kV HVDC transmission line connecting Sangtuda and Nowshera via Afghanistan.

Developers include NEGK, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat of Afghanistan, National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited of Pakistan, and Open Joint Stock Holding Company Barki Tajik of Tajikistan. The CASA-1000 project is scheduled for completion by March 2025.