ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan on Wednesday invited Russia to join the Central Asia-South Asia (Casa-1000) project for non-hydel part as the room existed for transmission of electricity from October to May when the hydel generation remained low in the central Asian states.
Secretary Ministry of Water and Power Muhammad Younus Dagha extended the invitation to Russian Deputy Minister for Energy Yuri Sentyurin in a meeting held here.
Both the sides agreed to enter into negotiations for 600MW gas fired power plant at Jamshoro on Russian funding, said a press release issued here.
Highlighting the importance of CASA-1000 project, the secretary said that work had already been started on the project.
He said Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan would transmit their hydel electricity through a transmission line to Pakistan during a period from May to October.
However, from October to April the line would be available to transmit Russian thermal electricity.
He said that Russian side could take benefit of the idle period.
The secretary said Russia’s joining of the CASA-1000 project would also bolster regional connectivity and greater regional cooperation.
Talking about Russian investment in the 600 MW gas fired power plant at Jamshoro, Younus Dagha said that the project feasibility had already been conducted and its PC-1 was also ready.
He said since the power evacuation system already existed from the site, it was one of the most viable projects where the Russian investment could be made.
He said the project would replace the existing low efficiency system with high efficiency turbine.
The secretary said that Pakistan was looking forward to take the cooperation between the two countries to new heights.
The Russian Deputy Minister for Energy thanked the Pakistani side for extending a warm welcome to the Russian delegation.
He said Russian companies have rich experience in energy sector, adding that several potential Russian companies were eager to invest in energy sector of Pakistan.
Yuri Sentyurin said that Russian side was also keen to pursue the Jamshoro plan upgradation project and was exploring ways and means to finance it.
He said that cooperation between the two countries was deepening with each passing day.
Due to conducive environment, he said, Russian investors were keen to explore the energy sector of Pakistan.
