ADB announces financial commitments for TAP power project
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide financial assistance for the implementation of power project Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP). In the next year, this authoritative financial institution pledges to invest US $ 150 million into the construction of the first phase of power transmission lines along the mentioned route. This issue was discussed at the recent Dushanbe Ministerial Conference of the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC). TAP will start from the Mary State Power Station, which is currently one of the major thermal power facilities in the Central Asian region. At the initial stage the 500 kV transmission line would export at least 2,000 megawatts of electricity. The new energy bridge will run along the route of the future transnational gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI). The minimum annual income of Afghanistan from the transit of Turkmen power is estimated at US $ 200 million, the TOLONews news agency reports citing the data of the electricity provider “De Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat”. During the forthcoming Ashgabat conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VII) the relevant ministries of the three countries will sign the agreement for the project, said company’s head Amanullah Ghalib on Tuesday at press-conference. Since 2015, ADB plays a role of anchor development and facilitator for the TAP project. The Bank supported the organization of a number trilateral expert meetings and consultations.
