DUSHANBE, February 28, 2009, Asia-Plus — On February 26, Uzbekistan resumed Turkmen electricity deliveries to Tajikistan via its power systems, according to Barqi Tojik power holding.
The source at Barqi Tojik said that it had become possible after long negotiations with Uzbek energy authorities.
According to him, during the last visit of Tajik team to Tashkent, the sides agreed on all disputable issues and discussed all conditions of transit of Turkmen electrical power to Tajikistan via Uzbek power systems.
The source told Asia-Plus on Saturday that more than 9 million kWh of electrical power, including some 8 million kWh of Turkmen electricity and some 1.5 million kWh of Uzbek electrical power, have already been supplied to the country. Besides, Tajik hydropower plants generated some 22 million kWh of power on Friday.
The source further added that Barqi Tojik was currently considering the possibility of lifting electricity rationing in Dushanbe and easing power rationing in the provinces. Some regions of the country recently had their energy ration eliminated and have not had electricity at all.
We will recall that Uzbekistan in early January interrupted Turkmen electricity supplies to Tajikistan, blaming the interruption on a malfunction at the Uzbek Qaraqul substation, which is used for Turkmen power deliveries to Tajikistan.
The interruption of Turkmen power deliveries has forced Tajikistan to keep the Norak hydroelectric power station (HPS) operational at maximum level that has seriously affected the power supply situation in the country. Because of the severe power shortages, Tajik authorities were forced to introduce electricity rationing in some areas of Dushanbe and tighten power rationing in the regions.
