“Several billion cubic meters of gas will be extracted within two years”, says Ismatilla Ergashev on Uzbekistan’s energy initiatives in Afghanistan

“Several billion cubic meters of gas will be extracted within two years”, says Ismatilla Ergashev on Uzbekistan’s energy initiatives in Afghanistan

Uzbek companies are set to implement gas extraction and electricity production projects in Afghanistan, according to Ismatilla Ergashev, the president’s special representative for Afghanistan. During the recent dialogue at the conclusion of the International Partnership Initiatives Week held in Tashkent, Ergashev outlined key developments in these initiatives.

Photo: Ismatilla Ergashev, the president’s special representative for AfghanistanSource: Daryo

An agreement has been reached with the Taliban concerning the development of the Tuti-Maidon natural gas field in the Jawzjan region. The project will be executed by Eriell KAM, which plans to invest $100mn annually over the next decade, totaling $1bn.

Currently, experts are assessing the restoration of eight existing pipelines in the area, which spans 7,000 square kilometers and contains over three trillion cubic meters of gas. Once operational, the field is expected to produce several billion cubic meters of gas within the first two years, with the extracted product transported directly to Uzbekistan for processing before being sent back to Afghanistan for local consumption.

“After the development of the field, it is planned to produce several billion cubic meters of gas in the first two years. The product extracted from the mine is delivered directly to Uzbekistan through gas pipelines,” Ismatilla Ergashev voiced.

Currently, Uzbekistan exports more than 2bn kilowatt-hours of electricity to Afghanistan each year, and initiatives are underway to enhance this capacity.

One significant undertaking is the “Surkhan-Puli-Khumri” power transmission line, designed to transmit electricity at a voltage of 500 kilowatts, with a total project cost of $10mn. Uzbek specialists have completed the segment from Surkhan to the Afghan border, covering 45 kilometers. 

However, the project faced challenges following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, which led international financial institutions to halt funding for projects in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Ergashev expressed optimism, stating that Uzbekistan had reached a solution with the interim government of Afghanistan, and the proposal had been accepted, paving the way for future implementation.

Additionally, on August 29, the “Termiz International Trade Center” was inaugurated at the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border, a project valued at $70mn and covering an area of 36 hectares. This center is expected to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

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