Turkmenistan and Afghanistan are accelerating the practical implementation of the 500 kV power transmission line project as part of the TAP (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan) transit corridor. In Kabul, Murad Artykov, head of international energy projects in Turkmenistan, and Abdul Haq Hamkar, CEO of the Afghan energy company DABS, agreed on a set of measures to expedite construction work, Orient.tm reported.
The main outcome of the talks was an agreement to quickly approve a roadmap that will set the final deadlines for commissioning the facilities. The parties thoroughly reviewed the entire range of joint infrastructure.
The Turkmen side confirmed its readiness to promptly complete technical work at the Nur-ul-Jihad substation in Herat province and increase electricity supply to the border district of Bala Murghab in Badghis province. Ashgabat representatives noted the significant progress in preparing the Afghan territory and confirmed their intention to complete all procedures as soon as possible to significantly increase electricity supplies and subsequent transit to Pakistan.
This step reflects the parties' transition from declarations to a schedule of actual construction work. For Turkmenistan, the development of the TAP-500 power line is a key element of its strategy to diversify exports and create a transit bridge to energy-intensive South Asia.
Ashgabat is demonstrating a pragmatic approach for the sake of economic feasibility, strengthening its status as a guaranteed energy supplier to the northern and western provinces of Afghanistan.
In turn, Kabul will be able to partially alleviate the acute electricity shortage, develop basic infrastructure in Herat and Badghis, and confirm its reliability as a transit hub for major interregional projects.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
September 21, 2026