Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan are to begin a joint project to build electric substations and transmission facilities, reported 24.kg on June 24, citing Kyrgyz deputy minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources Akylbek Tyumenbaev’s statement to lawmakers.  The project, which was conceived a decade ago, envisions building the Datka substation and the Datka-Khujand transmission facility, through which energy from Kyrgyzstan would be supplied abroad.  According to the deputy minister, the project will prove financially viable because electricity will be supplied to participating countries at higher rates.  Total construction costs for the project are estimated to be $120 million and electricity is set to be exported as early as 2012. Representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan will meet in Islamabad on July 24, 2008 to sign the necessary agreements, reported the news source. 
This information was originally published June 24, 2008. (www.24.kg)
-- 03.07.2008