DUSHANBE, January 14, 2013, Asia-Plus — The Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI) of Tajikistan and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have signed a memorandum of cooperation.
According to the MoEI press center, the document was inked by Gul Sherali, Minister of Energy and Industries of Tajikistan, and Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, in Dushanbe on January 11.
In the course of the talks, the sides reportedly discussed state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the OSCE in energy sector, including rehabilitation and modernization of small hydropower plants operating in districts subordinate to the center.
According to information posted on the website of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, the Office supports the Government of Tajikistan in the elaboration of a reform strategy for the national water sector and in making progress towards achieving the long-term goal of streamlining policies and legislative acts based on the standards of IWRM. It has supported the development of the Tajikistan Water Sector Development Program 2010-2025, a comprehensive document developed by an inter-ministerial working group which provides practical recommendations for the enhancement of the national water sector.
In 2010, at the request of the Government of Tajikistan, the Office was given the mandate to support the country in addressing energy security issues. The development of Small Hydro Power Plants (SHPP) has been identified as an optimal solution to make use of Tajikistan’s vast hydraulic potential. SHPPs require modest investments, can be practically constructed in one season, are easy to operate and can provide fast investment returns.
The Office supports the efforts of the Government of Tajikistan to create a conducive environment that contributes to attracting private investment in small SHPPs, building on the positive experience acquired recently in this field in other OSCE participating States.
