Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan expand partnership on HPP and CASA-1000 project
Negotiations of the heads of energy departments of the two countries took place in Islamabad. The Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic Taalaibek Ibrayev and his Pakistani counterpart Sardar Avais Ahmed Khan Leghari discussed strategic directions for deepening partnership. The central theme of the dialogue was the search for ways to ensure regional energy sustainability and mutual support in the modernization of the sector. The parties considered in detail the possibilities of sharing best practices in the construction and operation of hydropower plants, focusing on the introduction of modern technical solutions.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to the implementation of the large-scale CASA-1000 project, which is designed to unite the energy systems of Central and South Asia. The ministers discussed mechanisms for expanding cooperation within the framework of this initiative, including the organization of mutual electricity supplies. We are talking about establishing a seasonal energy exchange, involving the export of electricity from Kyrgyzstan in the summer, when there is a surplus of water resources in the country, and counter supplies from Pakistan in winter to cover the generation deficit in the Kyrgyz Republic. This step is considered as the most important element of strengthening the energy security of both republics.
The agenda of the talks also included the development of green generation. The heads of departments expressed interest in launching joint projects in the field of renewable energy sources (RES), which corresponds to global trends in the decarbonization of the economy. An equally important point of discussion was the attraction of qualified labor from Pakistan to participate in the implementation of energy projects in Kyrgyzstan, which will accelerate the pace of construction of new facilities. The productive meeting resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of energy, which was signed by Taalaibek Ibrayev and Sardar Avais Ahmed Khan Leghari.
Original (in Russian): Кыргызстан и Пакистан расширяют партнерство по ГЭС и проекту CASA-1000
