CASA-1000 is a USD 1.2 billion cross-border transmission project that will export up to 1,300 MW of summer hydropower surplus from the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan to Pakistan (up to 1,000 MW) and Afghanistan (up to 300 MW). Its core is a ±500 kV HVDC link with converter stations at Sangtuda (Tajikistan) and Nowshera (Pakistan) and about 750 km of DC line across Afghanistan. The project is financed by the World Bank, IsDB, EIB, EBRD and other partners. Works in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Pakistan are complete, and commercial operation is targeted for 2028.
Under the project agreements, the HVDC link will be operated by an independent DC Operator, to be selected through an international competitive procurement. On behalf of the owners, and for an initial multi-year term starting before commercial operation, the selected operator will:
The market sounding is the preliminary, non-binding step before this procurement. It aims to gauge the interest of potential operators (TSOs, HVDC OEMs and O&M contractors) and to collect their views on scope of work, geographical boundaries and procurement approach. The results will be used to shape a tender that is attractive to the market and fits the needs of the CASA-1000 countries.