Tajik authorities state that recent rainfall in the country has helped increase water inflow to the reservoir powering the Nurek hydropower plant (HPP), allowing for improved electricity supply to households. National energy officials claim residents are now receiving power for 4–5 hours daily. However, many citizens report receiving electricity for no more than 1 to 3 hours per day.
Over the past month, people across the country have voiced growing frustration over severe electricity rationing. Energy officials have linked the issue to critically low water levels at the reservoirs powering the Nurek HPP, which supplies over half of the country's electricity. The low water supply has been attributed to a lack of precipitation.
Qurbon Ahmadzoda, a representative of the Barqi Tojik energy company, told Asia-Plus that the recent rains have boosted water inflow into the reservoir by 30–40 cubic meters per second.
“As of December 9, around 7 meters of the total 53 meters of stored water have already been used. The recent rainfall is having a positive effect on water flow in the Vakhsh River,” he said.
Doustmurod Toirov, head of the Central Dispatch Office of the Electricity Transmission Networks, confirmed the information.
“With water inflow up by 15–20%, daily water consumption from storage has decreased from 23 to 17 centimeters. This reduction has made it possible to supply households with electricity for 4–5 hours a day. In some areas, power is also supplied for an additional 2–2.5 hours during the day,” he explained.
He claimed that residents in high-rise buildings in cities such as Khujand, Bokhtar, Kulob, and Roudaki district are “fully provided with electricity.” Nonetheless, many citizens from other regions say they continue to receive just 1 to 3 hours of electricity per day and are struggling with daily life.
Strict measures to curb consumption
Toirov also said that new restrictions—cutting power if household consumption exceeds 4 kilowatts—have already led to energy savings.
“In Khujand, Bokhtar, and Kulob, people are now using electricity more sparingly,” he said.
Earlier, the Electricity Distribution Networks company warned users via SMS that simultaneous consumption of 4 kW or more of electricity would trigger a 30-minute automatic power cut.
To address shortages, the government has implemented temporary energy-saving measures, including evening power cuts in public institutions, restrictions on EV charging stations from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and shutting off non-strategic street lighting.
Electricity rationing is a yearly occurrence in Tajikistan, typically from late autumn to mid-spring. However, residents say this year’s restrictions are harsher than ever, having started in September and showing no signs of easing.
