DUSHANBE, November 7, 2009, Asia-Plus – Uzbekistan plans to pull out of the Central Asian power grid on December 1 this year, Nozijon Yodgori, a spokesman for Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, Uzbekistan’s decision to withdraw from the Central Asian power grid will make Turkmen electricity deliveries to Tajikistan difficult that may affect electricity supplies to the population and enterprises in the country.
We will recall that under the agreement signed between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in 2007, Turkmenistan committed to supply 1.2 billion kWh of electricity to Tajikistan in autumn-winter every year during 2007-2012. In 2008-2009, Turkmenistan delivered electricity 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. This year, Turkmenistan has reportedly lowered the power delivery rates for Tajikistan. According to Tajik energy authorities, Turkmenistan will supply electricity to Tajikistan in autumn-winter 2009-2010 at the rate of 2 cents per one kWh. It has become possible due to President Rahmon’s visit to Turkmenistan on October 9-10 2009 and his negotiations with Turkmenistan’s leadership.
“We will take all necessary measures to provide the public and industrial enterprises of the country with electricity,” said Yodgori, “This year, the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) has been introduced into operation in the country; besides, 38 small hydropower plants have been introduced into operation in Tajikistan this year. This will allow considerably reducing electricity shortages during the winter period – from 4.6 billion kWh to 1.8-2 billion kWh.”
Barqi Tojik calls on the population to use electric power economically. “We will be able to come out of the situation on our own,” the spokesman said.
He added that it could not be ruled out that electricity rationing would be introduced in the country in the near future. According to Barqi Tojik, Tajikistan’s power plants now generate some 38040 million kWh of electricity per day.
In the meantime, CA-News reported on November 6 that an article by the Uzbekenergo head Sadullayev, published in Uzbekistan’s official Russian-language newspaper,
Pravda Vostoka
(The Truth of the East), on November 5, says, “Central Asian power grid operations will jeopardize stability and safe functioning of Uzbek power system, which raises the question of withdrawing from the system and operating in separate mode.” According to Sadullayev, each country attempts to meet only its own interests without considering negative effects its actions have on the other countries.
Accidents and control irregularities occur because of persistent lack of coordination and insubordination to the Control Center as well as gross violation of parallel operation of power systems by some member nations of the grid. Today, there is no guarantee of ensuring protection of the Central Asian power grid against unauthorized extraction of electricity from it. “Kazakhstan serves as an example. The country withdrew from the grid twice because of unauthorized extraction of its electric power. In particular, the energy system of Kazakhstan worked in parallel mode from February 26 to March 11, 2009 due to the imbalance of production and consumption of electricity in the region. Tajikistan consumed some 100 million kWh of Kazakh electricity.”
“On November 3, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Kazakhstan Duysenbay Turganov told journalists that Kazakhstan will withdraw from the parallel operation with the Central Asian power grid.” Unfortunately, the Control Center lacks necessary authority, and therefore, it cannot prevent such cases and guarantee safe operation of the national power systems under the Central Asian power grid, Sadullayev noted.
Uzbekistan’s measures to ensure energy security can establish a stable operation of its own power system. Under the circumstances, Uzbekenergo sees no possibility of further operation under the Central Asia power grid. “This decision will create conditions for a more stable and reliable operation of national energy systems,” Sadullayev said.
