DUSHANBE, May 5, Asia-Plus — The government has approved increase in the electricity.
A source at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT) told Asia-Plus on Monday that that the price of one kWh has risen from 3.2 dirams to 4.8 dirams for residential customers, and from 5.3 dirams to 10.95 dirams for industrial enterprises, except Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO or formerly TadAZ –Tajik aluminum plant). The aluminum smelter now pays 5.15 dirams per 1 kWh.
The electricity prices for other categories of users have been raised as well. The present prices (introduced since May 1) are 8 dirams for federally funded institutions and 27 dirams for commercials enterprises.
It is the second rise in electricity prices this year. We will recall that a 20 percent rise in prices for electricity was introduced in the country on January 1, 2008.
The price hikes come to promote implementation the energy sector reform program in the country, the MoEDT source said.
We will recall that speaking at the second meeting of a Task Force on regional Electricity Cooperation in Central and South Asia in Dushanbe in April, Deputy Energy and Industries Minister, Poulod Muhiddinov, said that they raise electricity prices in order to make the country’s hydroelectric power sector more attractive for investors. According to him, the average price of one kWh of electricity should reach 2.5 cents by 2010.
Local experts say that if Tajikistan fails to raise rates gradually, it will not be possible to recoup the investments Tajikistan is currently making to build hydroelectric power stations and power grids.
In the meantime, the current minimum monthly wage in Tajikistan is 20 somonis.
