Pakistan today signed an agreement with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to import 1,300 MW of electricity to tackle an acute power shortage in summers.
The pact was signed by Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan at a two-day meeting here of the inter-governmental council of Central Asia South Asia (CASA) transmission and trade project.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan generate surplus electricity using hydropower during the summer, but face severe shortages during their cold winters.
Pakistan Prime Minister's Energy Advisor, Musadaq Malik, said work on the agreement would start in 2014 and would be completed in three years, adding 1300 MW to the national grid and providing cheaper electricity in summers.
Addressing concerns over security in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, Malik said that the project would be properly protected, with Afghanistan providing a sovereign guarantee to protect the transmission line.
He said the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Gulf Coordination Group would support the project.
Power Minister Khwaja Asif said Pakistan will benefit from the 1,227-km transmission line extending from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He said electricity shortage is one of the biggest challenge for Pakistan with the nation subjected to long hours of power cuts due to an energy deficit of around 5000 MW.
