Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Power Line Advances as Regional Energy Bridge
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) power transmission project is moving into active implementation, forming a parallel infrastructure backbone to the TAPI gas pipeline. The project includes 220 kV lines to Afghanistan and 500 kV lines to Pakistan, with the Mary power plant as the export base. Turkmenistan has completed the main work on its section, including a 259 km line to the Afghan border.
Key Facts
- The TAP project is planned in three stages, with 220 kV lines to Afghanistan and 500 kV lines to Pakistan.
- The Mary combined-cycle power plant, commissioned in 2018 with a capacity of 1,574 MW, serves as the export base.
- In August 2021, a 259 km double-circuit 220 kV line was built from the Mary plant to the Turkmen-Afghan border.
- The Nur-el-Jahad substation in Herat province was launched on 11 September 2024, built by Türkmenenergogurluşyk for DABS.
- On 10 August 2026, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Mary province and Herat province for talks with Afghan officials.
Project Implementation
The TAP power line project is being implemented in three stages under the Turkmenistan Ministry of Energy's TAP international power projects department. The project includes 220 kV high-voltage lines to Afghanistan and 500 kV lines to Pakistan. The Mary combined-cycle power plant, with a capacity of 1,574 MW and commissioned in 2018, serves as the export base. The main volume of work on the Turkmen section has been completed, including a 259 km double-circuit 220 kV line from the Mary plant to the Turkmen-Afghan border built in August 2021.
Afghanistan Infrastructure
The Nur-el-Jahad substation in Herat province was launched on 11 September 2024, built by Türkmenenergogurluşyk for the Afghan company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS). Plans include installing a 200 MVA synchronous compensator at the Nur-el-Jahad substation. Afghanistan is building an 80 km 220 kV line in Herat province connecting the Pul-e-Hashemi, Nur-el-Jahad, and 24 Hut substations. In 2021, the existing Serhetabat–Herat power line was modernized to operate at 220 kV, improving system efficiency.
High-Level Engagement
On 10 August 2026, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, visited Mary province and Herat province. During the visit, he held talks with Afghan officials, though the source does not name the specific Afghan counterpart. The project is being developed within the framework of high-level agreements, and a roadmap is being prepared to strengthen the legal basis.
2 sources
Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Power Line Advances as Regional Energy Bridge
