Over 700 localities in Tajikistan still lack energy provision

Beijing. February 15. Silkroadnews - Over 700 localities in Tajikistan still lack energy provision and are, for various reasons, not connected to the energy system of the republic, the Tajik Telegraph Agency (TajikTA) reports on Thursday.
At present about 710 villages of the country remain unconnected to Tajikistan’s energy provision system. Most of the localities are in the Khatlon region, the first deputy chairman of the OSHC “Barki Tojik” Madumar Asozoda said.
According to him, power transmission lines extension to these villages is complicated by a number of factors. In most villages there are 5-8 families living, and there are some kishlaks, where only 3-4 families live. Power lines to extend the electricity grid to each village will reach from 6 to 11 kilometers, not to take into account separate transformers and substations building, which requires huge financing, with no hope that the invested funds will pay for itself in due course. The best options for these villages would be solar panels installation, Madumar Asozoda said.
OSHC “Barki Tojik” officials note, it is not the duty or commitment of the state energy holding to extend power lines to the localities in case, but rather it is a task of local hukumats. “Barki Tojik” only provides energy services.
Data by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the country shows, in 2017, Tajikistan produced 18,114 billion kWh of electricity, which is 889.8 million kWh higher compared to 2016 output.
In value terms “Barki Tojik” has received 2,352 billion somoni ($266.3 million) for services provided, with account of exports amount.