ISLAMABAD – For the first time in history, Pakistan to export electricityto World Nations.
Pakistan has initiated talks with central Asian countries of Tajikistan andKyrgyzstan for electricity export during winter under the (CentralAsia-South Asia) (CASA-1000) agreement.
Well-placed sources in the Power Division have revealed that the experts ofthe National Transmission Dispatch Company (NTDC) held a meeting with therepresentatives of the Tajik government in this regard. The crucialdialogue took place in Dubai last week.
As per the agreement, Pakistan will import 1,000MW of electricity per dayat 9.50 cents per unit in summer from May to October.——————————
For this purpose, a 750 kilometer-long high-voltage direct current (DC)transmission line between Pakistan and Tajikistan via Afghanistan will bebuilt at a cost of $1.7 billion.
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Moreover, the project also includes the construction of converter stationsin all three countries. Pakistan has already acquired the land in Nowsherafor setting up a converter station.——————————
As the open-access clause of this agreement mentions two-way trade ofelectricity, Pakistan now wants to export electricity to Central Asiancountries during the winter using the same infrastructure. These countriesmainly rely on hydel resources for power generation. Most of their reservesfreeze during the winter, causing a power shortage.
The agreement is a win-win situation for Pakistan as it states that thecountry will not be liable to pay for any electricity transit loss inAfghanistan in case of any untoward activity.
