DUSHANBE, October 28, 2008, Asia-Plus — The government has approved a 25 percent increase in the electricity prices beginning on January 1, 2009, Sharifkhon Samiyev, head of Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding, remarked at a press conference in Dushanbe on October 27.
According to him, the price hike comes in response to financial difficulties facing Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding and recommendations from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank on development of the country’s energy sector.
Under an agreement between the Tajik government and the Word Bank, the average price of one kWh of electricity should reach 2.5 cents in the country by 2010; for this, it is necessary to raise the current electricity prices by 40-50 percent, Samiyev said.
“We have applied to the government for permission to raise the electricity prices by 40 percent, but our proposal has not been supported,”
In accordance with government’s resolution, electricity prices may change only twice a year; in 2008, electricity prices were raised in January and May.
Samiyev noted that the second rise in electricity prices would be probably introduced in May. “In May, the electricity prices will rise 15 percent,” the Barqi Tojik top manager said.
We will recall that last rise in electricity prices was introduced in Tajikistan on May 1, 2008, and the current prices 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. A 20 percent rise in prices for electricity was introduced in the country on January 1, 2008.
The average electricity tariff in Tajikistan is still one of the lowest electricity tariffs in the world. 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.
