$415M granted for new interconnector line in Central Asia

2016-12-20

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted $415 million in financing to help strengthen Afghanistan’s cross-border energy trade with Turkmenistan, while ensuring energy security.

The funding will be used for the development of new 500 MW back-to-back converter station, with power transformers and associated electrical equipment, at Dashte Alwan to connect a new 500 kV interconnection line with Turkmenistan with another 500 kV line stretching to Kabul, Afghanistan.

The converter will allow import of power to Afghan grid from Turkmenistan as part of a 10-year power purchase and sales agreement signed in 2015.

Additionally, the funding will be used to build a 180-km 220 kV transmission line from Doshi to Bamyan to expand the grid to at least eight additional provinces.

This project is expected to power nearly 150,000 people while providing redundancy to the existing transmission network.

“This assistance will support the government’s $10.1 billion national energy supply program, which aims to expand power supply to boost economic growth and cut poverty,“ said ADB Afghanistan Resident Mission senior energy specialist Asad Aleem.

Source: Energy Business Review