Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug. 22 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov instructed the finalization of a draft General Program for the Turkmen Energy Sector Development for 2011-2020, an official Turkmen source reported on Monday.
He drew attention to "the particular importance of this document", affecting primarily power supply issues.
It was earlier reported that the level of electricity production is predicted to reach 35.5 billion kW in Turkmenistan by 2030 in accordance with the industry development strategy.
Three combined cycle gas turbine power plants, with a total capacity of 1,122 megawatt, will be constructed for the development project. The construction of high-voltage power transmission lines and substations will also continue, in order to reduce electricity losses during transportation.
In the future, the country's energy system will be completely covered with high-voltage overhead power transmission lines of 500 kV. There are plans to build overhead lines of 500 kV in Balkanabat-Ashgabat-Mary by 2020, which will allow mutual provision for eastern and western parts of Turkmenistan.
Plans are also underway to build circular power transmission lines of 220 kV to increase the stability of the capital's power supply. With the hope of attaining more reliable power supplies from the Amu Darya's bank, plans include the construction of the Parakhat Pelvert-Atamyrat line.
There are also plans to build the 220 kV transmission line Mary-Tahtabazar to supply power to gas fields of Southern Yoloten, Gurrukbil, and Garabil, and to increase exports to Afghanistan.
Turkmenistan's transportation options at this stage allow the country to sell electricity to Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and Central Asia, and to conduct project development pertaining to the Pakistan's supply. The chance for regular Turkmen electric supplies to Tajikistan is being carefully assessed upon Tajikistan's initiative.