Tajikistan can buy electricity from neighboring countries

Sergei Kondratiev, Deputy Head of the Economic Department commented to Sputnik Radio (Tajik editing) on electricity supply to Tajikistan.

Residents of Tajikistan have been complaining about power outages since late October. The authorities of the republic deny the official introduction of the energy limit in the country. Recently, Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Usmonali Usmonzoda named several key problems that affect the supply of electricity. First of all, this is a lack of water in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants, population growth and excessive consumption of electricity.

Senior expert of the Institute for Energy and Finance Sergey Kondratiev said that the fastest way out of the current situation could be buying electricity from neighboring countries.

"In recent years, Tajikistan has made serious efforts to normalize relations with its neighbors in the region. The republic could purchase electricity from neighboring countries, primarily from Uzbekistan, which has free capacity and opportunities to increase production," Kondratyev said in an interview with Sputnik Tajikistan.

However, the expert doubted that in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the government would take this step. Moreover, Barki Tojik is unlikely to be able to finance such purchases.

“We know that in Tajikistan there are very worn-out power grids, the main investments were directed to the completion of the Rogun HPP. Reducing losses in power grids could significantly improve the situation, because they lose 17-20% of all generated electricity entering the power system,” Kondratiev added.