DUSHANBE, December 3, 2009, Asia-Plus — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500,000 technical assistance (TA) grant to develop a project design and feasibility study for a new regional power rehabilitation project in Tajikistan, according to ADB’s Resident Mission in Tajikistan.
The power rehabilitation project, due to begin in 2010, will upgrade the existing power transmission network to strengthen Tajikistan”s inter-connection with neighboring countries and improve the quality and efficiency of electricity supply. A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) will also be installed, and the sectors” institutions strengthened.
“Regional cooperation and a stable power supply among Central Asian countries is essential for economic growth in the region,” said Makoto Ojiro, ADB’s Country Director for Tajikistan. “A reliable inter-country transmission network will enable Tajikistan to make barter arrangements or sell summer surplus electricity and receive or buy electricity in winter and, thus, reduce deficit in winter generation.”
The total cost of the TA is $610,000, of which the government will finance $110,000 in-kind. The TA was approved in November 2009, and a team of consultants is already in the field. Barqi Tojik is the executing agency for the TA.
ADB has been supporting rehabilitation and development of the energy sector in Tajikistan from the start of its operations in the country in 1998. The total amount of ADB”s approved assistance in the energy sector of Tajikistan comes to $130 million.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2008, it approved $10.5 billion of loans, $811.4 million of grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to $274.5 million.
