DUSHANBE, November 4, 2009, Asia-Plus — An expert working group of Tajik power engineering specialists is currently in Tashkent to discuss wit their Uzbek colleagues the issue of the delivery of Turkmen electricity to Tajikistan via Uzbekistan’s power systems, Deputy Minister of energy and Industries, Poulod Muhiddinov, told reporters in Dushanbe on November 3.
According to him, Barqi Tojik (Tajik power systems) power holding is not in debt to Uzbekenergo, while the Uzbek side now owes 1 million U.S. dollars to Barqi Tojik.
“In the meantime, Uzbekistan unilaterally pulled out of parallel work with the southern part of Tajikistan on November 1 under the pretext of repairing work,” said Muhiddinov, “All these days, the south of Tajikistan has been working separately from the Central Asian power grid. The Uzbek side has promised to connect on November 2, however, it has not yet been done.”
He reminded that during the visit of President Emomali Rahmon to Turkmenistan in early October this year, the sides came to an agreement that Turkmenistan would lower the power delivery rates for Tajikistan. Turkmenistan now supplies electricity to Tajikistan in the winter period at the rate of 2 cents per one kWh.
Last year, Turkmenistan was supplying electrical power to Tajikistan at the rate of 3 cents per one kWh. Besides, Tajikistan was paying transit fee to Uzbekistan at the rate of 0.3 cent per one kWh for supplying Turkmen electricity via its power systems.
“As soon as the issues with the Uzbek side are settled we will sign an electricity transit agreement,” the deputy minister said.
