About us
The Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000) is designed to facilitate electricity trade between the countries participating in CASA-1000 by building electricity infrastructure as well as developing the commercial and institutional arrangements required to conduct this trade in a transparent, sustainable fashion. The Project also supports continuing development of the Central Asia Regional Electricity Market (CASAREM).
CASA-1000 encapsulates the concept of “clean smart power” because it relies solely on renewable energy resources and because it will increase efficiency in the CASAREM regional electricity market by narrowing the electricity supply gap in Pakistan. This will create opportunities for new grid connections in the region and allow Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to boost revenues by exporting previously stranded generation capacity, thereby strengthening regional market opportunities. Open access will be applicable during the non-supply period for maximum utilization of the CASA-1000 transmission system, to promote electricity trade and potential for using spare transmission capacity during the winter months, as envisaged under the Central Asia South Asia Regional Electricity market.
Each of these aspects promises to deliver substantial development benefits to the CASA-1000 countries. Pakistan, which lies at the terminus of the CASA-1000 transmission line, has a significant gap in electricity supply, especially during the summer months. By increasing the availability of electricity at this critical time, the quality of life in Pakistan will improve because residents will be able to use air conditioners and other appliances during extreme heat. This demand coincides with a large generation surplus in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Exporting surplus electricity allows both countries to boost revenue and reinvest funds in grid improvements and additional renewable energy generation capacity to counteract winter shortages.
Developing a strong economy with good jobs, modern infrastructure, proper social services, and inclusive growth requires a functioning electricity system. The CASA-1000 Project is an important step in building a functioning, efficient electricity system across Central Asia and South Asia. By facilitating clean power export revenues for the Central Asian countries and by alleviating electricity shortages in the South Asian countries, this project will enhance growth prospects across both regions.
This project will also help transform the region, providing critical infrastructure needed to fully realize the Central Asia Regional Electricity Market (CASAREM) while fostering inter-regional cooperation between Central Asia and South Asia.
The CASA-1000 Project will include:
484 km
of HVAC power transmission line
Beginning from Datka, Kyrgyzstan to Sugd, Tajikistan for transmission of Kyrgyz electricity exports
114 km
of HVAC power transmission line
Between the Regar and Sangtuda substations in Tajikistan, with associated grid improvements
789 km
of HVDC power transmission line
Linking the Sangtuda HVDC Converter Station in Tajikistan to the Nowshera HVDC Converter Station in PK
CASA-1000 Cooperation and Governance
The CASA-1000 Project demonstrates landmark cooperation among Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The governing body of CASA-1000 established by the CASA-1000 countries is the Inter-Governmental Council (IGC). The IGC established its CASA-1000 Secretariat to support the IGC in development and implementation of the Project. The Secretariat supports CASA-1000 member countries to cooperate in the interest of achieving shared sustainable development goals. The member countries, through the Secretariat, coordinate planning and project implementation activities, construction, and commercial operations, keeping key funding institutions informed of progress.
All of the necessary power generation infrastructure needed for CASA-1000 is already in place. In fact, much of the surplus electricity available to CASA-1000 is being generated with water that simply would have been spilled for lack of an outlet for the power. When complete, the full CASA-1000 transmission lines will move electricity at high voltages between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (the first 484 kilometers) and from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan (the next 789 kilometers). Even without adding any new power generation to the system, sufficient quantities of surplus electricity are available in the Central Asian countries to supply these transmission lines.
The CASA-1000 Project is ambitious but achievable. When compared with the 340,000-kilometer North American grid or the 230,000-kilometer European power system, the 1,387-kilometer CASA-1000 transmission project seems quite achievable but it will take time, long-term planning, and cooperation.
A high level Inter-Governmental Council has been established to help make CASA-1000 happen and regional cooperation in the first phases of the project has been excellent. Through the Inter-Governmental Council, the countries are working together to make decisions about project implementation and operation, common policies and rules, and use consistent technical, safety, and environmental standards. They are also planning consultations with the public and a wide-ranging community benefit-sharing plan.
The dashed lines and blue circles indicate CASA-1000 facilities currently under construction
The CASA-1000 Power Transmission System
The CASA-1000 system, when completed, will include 1,387 km of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines. The full CASA-1000 transmission lines will move electricity at high voltage between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (the first 484 kilometers) and from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan (the next 789 kilometers). The project is currently constructing new HVAC transmission lines in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to link hydroelectric power stations to new HVDC facilities. The two new HVDC converter stations currently under construction—one located in Sangtuda, Tajikistan and the other in Nowshera, Pakistan—will be linked by a HVDC transmission line to efficiently transmit electricity to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The new HVDC converter station in Nowshera will then link power to Pakistan’s existing HVAC transmission network.
Realizing Sustainable Development
Developing a strong economy with good jobs, modern infrastructure, proper social services, and inclusive growth requires a well-functioning electricity system that provides clean, reliable energy to businesses and residential consumers. The CASA-1000 Project is an important step in strengthening the electricity systems across Central Asia and South Asia. By facilitating clean power export revenues for the Central Asian countries and by alleviating electricity shortages in the South Asian countries, this project will enhance growth prospects across both regions. CASA-1000 is a key element for achieving sustainable economic development across the regions.
Financing and Building the CASA-1000 System
The $1.2 billion CASA-1000 Project will bring 1300 megawatts (MW) of seasonal power from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It will be a major new source of revenue in the regional electricity market, transmitting 4.6 billion kilowatt hours (kWh)/year to start.
Funding for CASA-1000 Project construction is provided by a consortium of international development institutions including the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UK) and the US Agency for International Development.