OREANDA-NEWS. February 28, 2011. Today, during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has issued the Resolution on commencement of construction of large-scale energy infrastructure that will enable to meet energy demand in Lebap Velayat in full as well as increase the volume of Turkmen electricity exports to neighbouring Afghanistan as high as 5 times. Currently, Turkmenistan exports 325 million kilowatt-hours a year to Afghanistan.

The construction project will have two phases. The first construction phases amounts to over US\\$ 390 million. The construction work is to start in April this year and be completed in September in 2013. After construction is complete, Turkmen power transmission lines will be led towards the territory of Afghanistan, the Afghan frontier town of Andhoi. It was also noted that this project will enable Turkmenistan to export electricity to the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the future.

As is known, the tasks to settle the situation in Afghanistan by peaceful means, contribute actively to economic revival and build a peaceful life in the friendly state are the focus of attention of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Turkmen leader’s initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the Afghan land were put forward at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly and welcomed and supported by the international community.