DUSHANBE, November 26, 2008, Asia-Plus — Speaking at the 8th session of the EU-Tajikistan Joint Committee in Dushanbe on November 25, Deputy Energy and Industries Minister, Poulod Muhiddinov, noted that because of low water levels at the reservoir powering the Norak hydroelectric power station (HPS) Tajikistan will have produced some 900 million kWh of electrical power less this year.
“It is for the first time since the Norak HPS was introduced into operation, we have failed to fill the Norak Reservoir completely,” said the deputy minister, “The past winter was difficult and shortage of water hit the country in the spring and summer.”
On the supply of the Turkmen electricity to Tajikistan, Muhiddinov noted that it had started two month later this year because of problems in the Uzbek power systems.
“Transmission of Turkmen electricity to Tajikistan was supposed to start on September 1 this year but because of problems in the Uzbek power systems it started two months later,” said Muhiddinov, “As a result of this, we have lost at least 400 million kWh of electricity.”
He further added that 200 small power plants with capacity of 15 to 1,260 kW had been introduced into operation in the country this year. “Besides, we plan to have launched another eight small power plants with capacity of 1,000 kW by the end of this year,” the deputy minister said.
