Tajikistan: Limits and Electricity Export Again

News:

During a press conference, the management of the state energy holding company Barki Tojik, in response to journalists’ questions about when the electricity limits would be lifted, stated that the energy limit in the autumn-winter period in the country would continue until the Rogun hydroelectric power station is fully commissioned. In addition, the deputy chairman of Barki Tojik, Abdullo Kurbonzoda, explained the introduction of limits by the increase in demand for electricity and insufficient water levels in reservoirs. “The supply of electricity depends on the volume of water in the Vakhsh River”, - he said.

Also, Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma warned that residents should prepare for winter now and stock up on coal. “Electricity consumers and we must use all opportunities and stock up on other types of fuel. For example, coal. The Government of Tajikistan is taking the necessary measures to provide citizens of Tajikistan with coal in a timely manner”, - he said.

Comment:

Let us recall that the population of Tajikistan has been suffering from electricity quotas in the autumn-winter period for 30 years. Despite the fact that many years ago Emomali Rahmon solemnly announced the complete lifting of electricity quotas in the republic, quota-based power outages in populated areas of the country, except for the capital and large cities, continue to this day. “In order to improve the standard of living of the population, ensure the effective operation of manufacturing enterprises and other socio-economic spheres of the country, from tomorrow - starting from January 14, 2017, the energy quota will be completely lifted, that is, the population, social institutions and manufacturing enterprises throughout the country will be provided with electricity 24 hours a day. Removing the quota allows us to reduce the life shortcomings and concerns of our compatriots, and create more conditions for the steady development of the country's economy”, - Rahmon said then.

Thus, for 7 years now, officials have been trying to present the introduction of limits as a temporary measure, caused by either a lack of precipitation, or low water levels in reservoirs, or equipment repairs, or accidents and increased electricity consumption as a result of economic and population growth.

However, the real reason for introducing limits lies in the elementary export of electricity abroad, i.e. the regime simply prefers to sell electricity to neighboring countries than to provide it to its population. For example, the press service of the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic recently reported that the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Daler Juma and the Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan Taalaibek Ibrayev discussed issues of testing the infrastructure of the high-voltage interregional power transmission line CASA-1000 on the territory of the two countries. This power transmission line involves the supply of electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Tajik minister expressed hope that the creation of the necessary infrastructure in Afghanistan will be completed by the end of next year. “This will allow us to launch the project in early 2026”, - he said. Thus, judging by the fact that the Tajik authorities are planning to increase the volume of electricity exports, the country's population, apparently, should not wait the end of the limits, and perhaps, on the contrary, should prepare for their increase.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Mohammad Mansour