DUSHANBE, April 18, 2011, Asia-Plus — Tajik authorities lifted all restrictions on electricity countrywide on April 17 and all regions now have power 24 hours a day.
Nozirjon Yodgori, a spokesman for Barqi Tojik power holding (the state-owned utility responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Tajikistan), told Asia-Plus today that it has become possible due to rise in water flow in the Vakhsh River.
“The water flow in Vakhsh River is currently 550 cubic meters per second and we now provide electricity for the whole population,” he said.
Electricity rationing is usually introduced in Tajikistan in November and lasts through March next year. Measures seeking to curb the country’s rising electricity consumption are usually introduced in all regions except Dushanbe. In addition to curbing rising consumption, the move also stems from a decline in the water level in the Norak reservoir.
Extended periods of cold this year prevented snow from melting and forced officials to continue power rationing.
This year, electricity rationing was imposed on Dushanbe as well. Introduced on March 25, electricity rationing in the Tajik capital was in effect till April 14. During this period, electricity supply to residential customers in some areas of Dushanbe was cut off from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am. In the meantime, power to other parts of the country was distributed sporadically.
