Tajikistan’s electricity exports reportedly increase almost a third

In January-November last year, Tajikistan reportedly supplied more than US$53 million worth of electric power to neighboring countries. 

In November this year, Tajikistan exported US$2.5 million worth of electricity, which is almost 30 percent more than in the previous year.  

Tajikistan now supplies electricity to Uzbekistan and northern provinces of Afghanistan within the framework of contracts concluded with power utility companies of these countries. 

At the beginning of this year, the power companies of Tajikistan and Afghanistan signed an agreement on the supply of about 1.5 billion kWh of electricity from Tajikistan to Afghanistan in 2021.    

Tajikistan supplies electricity to Afghanistan at the rate of 3.0 cents per 1 kWh through the 110 kV power transmission line and at the rate of 4.5 cents per 1 kWh through the 220 kV power transmission line. 

Last year, Tajikistan last year exported more than US$56.4 million worth of electricity, which was 40 percent fewer than in 2019.  This was due to an acute shortage of electricity in the country itself due to low water.

In accordance with the reached agreements, Tajikistan reportedly supplies electricity to neighboring countries (Afghanistan and Uzbekistan) only during the April-October period.  

Tajikistan has sufficient summer-time (defined as May 1 to September 30) hydropower surpluses to export to the neighboring countries.

In January-November this year, Tajikistan has reportedly generated 18.7 billion kWh of electricity, which is 5.7 percent more than in the same period last year. 

However, electricity rationing is usually imposed in Tajikistan in the autumn and winter, especially after a dry summer.  During these months, water levels are low and electricity consumption rises.  Residents of rural areas experience extensive electricity shortages during the winter.