DUSHANBE, September 26, 2008, Asia-Plus — No new rise in electricity prices is expected in the country this year, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).
The source at a MoEI has denied reports released by some media that electricity prices will rise beginning on October 1 as “unfounded.”
Referring to Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding, a number of media today released reports that the government had worked out a draft resolution on raising electricity prices for all categories of electricity consumers starting from October 1.
According to those media, the price for residential customers will be set at 6 dirams per one kWh of electricity. The price of one kWh of electricity will be 15.14 dirams for industrial enterprises and 20 dirams for federally funded state institutions. Meanwhile, Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco) will pay 9.25 dirams.
The MoEI source added that in accordance with government’s resolution, electricity prices may change only twice a year; in 2008, electricity prices were raised in January and May.
We will recall that current price are 4.8 dirams for residential customers, 10.95 dirams for industrial enterprises, except Talco, which currently pays 5.15 dirams per 1 kWh, 8 dirams for federally funded institutions and 27 dirams for commercial 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. According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT), the price hikes come to promote implementation the energy sector reform program in the country. 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.
We will recall that speaking to reporters in Dushanbe, Mr. Raghuveer Sharma, the World Bank Senior Energy Specialist for Europe and Central Asia, said on August 21 that to rehabilitate its energy sector Tajikistan should raise the price of one kilowatt-hour of electricity to 4 cents.
According to him, the present electricity rates are quite low in Tajikistan, because practically all hydropower facilities had been built in the Soviet time already. “At present all power systems in the country, including the Dushanbe and the Yovon heat and power stations, need rehabilitation,” he said, adding that if to take into account all these expenses, the electricity rate should be 4 cents. “It is necessary to invest big money in order to make power supply efficient,” Sharma said. He also noted that according to the results of surveys conducted by the World Bank in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which have the lowest electricity rates, the population is ready to may more for electricity it the power supplies are regularly.
