Pakistan invites Russia to join CASA-1000

Officials meet in Islamabad; also agree to enter into dialogue for 600MW gas-fired power plant at Jamshoro on Russian funding

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has invited the Russian Federation to join the CASA-1000 project and provide electricity during the idle months as there is room for transmission of electricity from October to May when Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are unable to provide electricity due to low hydel power generation.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will transmit their hydel electricity through a transmission line to Pakistan in the summer months of May to October. However, from October to April the line will be available to transmit Russian thermal electricity, said Mohammad Younus Dagha, Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power, in a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister for Energy Yuri Sentyurin here on Wednesday.

In the meeting, Pakistan and Russia have also agreed to enter into negotiations for 600MW gas-fired power plant at Jamshoro on Russian funding.

Highlighting the importance of CASA-1000 project, the secretary Ministry of Water and Power said that work has already been started on the project. He said Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will transmit their hydel electricity through the transmission line to Pakistan in the summer months of May to October. From October to May, there will be no supply of electricity as hydel generation stays low in the two Central Asian countries.

However, from October to April, the line will be available to transmit Russian thermal electricity. He said that the Russian side can take benefit of this idle period. He said that Russian joining of CASA-1000 project will also bolster regional connectivity and greater regional cooperation.

Younus Dagha further elaborated that Pakistan offers excellent investment opportunities in the energy sector.Talking about the Russian investment in the 600MW gas fired power plant at Jamshoro, Younus Dagha said the project’s feasibilities had already been conducted and PC1 was also ready. He said that since the power evacuation system already exists from the site, therefore, it is one of the most viable projects where  Russian investment can be made. The project will replace the existing low efficiency capacity with higher efficiency turbine.

The secretary said that Pakistan was looking forward to take the cooperation between the two countries to new heights.Yuri Sentyurin thanked the Pakistani side for the warm welcome accorded to him and the delegation. He said that Russian companies have rich experience in energy sector.  Russian companies have rich experience in energy sector. He said that many potential Russian companies are eager to invest in the energy sector of Pakistan. 

Yuri Sentyurin welcomed the Pakistan’s proposal to join CASA-1000 project and expressed the willingness to be part of the project. He urged that Pakistan and Russia will jointly pursue other partners of the project for this purpose.

Yuri Sentyurin also said that Russian side is eager to pursue Jamshoro up gradation project and is exploring ways to finance the same. He said that cooperation between the two countries is deepening with each passing day. He expressed the confidence that given the conducive environment, Russian investors are much eager to explore the energy sector of Pakistan.