Energy Security in South Asia: A Pathway to Sustainability and Regional Cooperation

Amid an ongoing economic crisis, South Asian nations are addressing critical energy challenges related to access, affordability, and reliability. A recent study by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute of Pakistan (SDPI), titled “Energy Security in South Asia: A Case of Transitioning to Sustainable Sources,” emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions, calling for essential regional cooperation.

On July 29, 2024, a key conference was held to discuss the study’s findings and future measures. Dr. Ghulam Samad, Chief of the CAREC Institute Research Division, and Dr. Vladislav Zavadskiy, Senior Specialist of the CAREC Institute, Research Division, participated in a panel discussion on “Energy Security in South Asia.”

The conference highlighted the CASA-1000 project, a $1.2 billion initiative to enhance cross border energy trade between Central Asia and Pakistan through renewable hydropower, aimed at mitigating energy shortages, increasing electrical systems stability and promoting sustainable practices. Dr. Ghulam praised the CASA-1000 project as a “beacon of hope” for regional energy cooperation, with the potential to transmit 1,300 MW of electricity and strengthen economic ties between Central and South Asia. The initiative is expected to provide continuous revenue streams for Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, reduce power deficits in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and lessen reliance on expensive, environmentally harmful fossil fuels.

The event underscored the need for strategic actions, private sector engagement, and sustained political support to fully realize the CASA-1000’s potential. The discussions concluded with a call for deeper regional cooperation to drive sustainable growth and stability in South Asia.