DUSHANBE, April 17, 2009, Asia-Plus — The task to provide Tajikistan with its own electrical power and natural gas in the coming four years due to all reserves and opportunities as well as attraction of domestic and foreign investments is quite a feasible, the head of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee on Energy, Industry and Construction, Mirzosharif Islomiddinov, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
Asked about the possibility of implementation of the task set by the president to reach energy independence in the coming four years, Islomiddinov said that if all the energy projects are implemented in accordance with schedule this task may be implemented even in three years.
“Tajikistan daily power deficiency in autumn-winter period amounts to 15 million kWh,” said he. “After introduction of the fourth generator of the Sangtuda-1 hydropower plant into operation, the station will be able to generate up to 10 million kWh of electrical power per day and the Sangtuda-2 power plant, which is scheduled to be finished in 2011, will generate at least 5 million kWh of electricity per day. This will allow us to come out of the power crisis. Besides, we are currently constructing a number of small power plants with capacity of 100 to 150 kW each. These stations will also help solve the energy deficiency problem to a certain extent.”
Moreover, work on completing the construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power station (HPS) is progressing and judging by the present pace of construction, the first generator of the station that will be able to produce 14 million kWh of electricity per day will be introduced into operation in 2012, the parliamentarian said.
“Besides, a number of heat power plants are being constructed in the country in parallel with construction of the hydropower plants,” said Islomiddinov. “Construction of the heat power stations will take not more than two or three years and amount of investments in construction of them is not so large.”
He also noted that due to president’s efforts the gas industry was developing in the country. “Many companies are currently working in the country to explore the country’s gas reserves and according to information provided by the government, Tajikistan will be provided with its own natural gas in the coming 2.5-3 years,” Islomiddinov said.
