What is the power supply system in Tajikistan?

Tajikistan’s power supply system is dominated by hydropower plants, most of which were built during the Soviet era. Hydropower plants account for 96 per-cent of the total installed capacity of 4,750 MW.

Why does Tajikistan need interconnecting power systems?

In the case of Tajikistan, it provides a bigger market to which it can sell its hydropower surpluses. In energy security terms, interconnecting power systems offers a more diverse energy supply and reduces the impact of disruptions.

How would Tajikistan benefit from a new power system?

Benefits to Tajikistan would accrue in terms of reducing winter shortages, increasing foreign exchange earnings, while all Central Asia countries would also benefit from stabilizing the power system, fuel cost savings, and lower electricity costs in summer (box 3.2).

Is solar power a priority supply option in Tajikistan?

Generally, in the context of power system planning, solar power has the primary role of saving energy since you can’t rely on its availability. Because fuel in the form of gas, oil, or coal plays only a very minor role in Tajikistan, solar power is not considered as a priority supply option.

What is Tajikistan's power sector plan?

In Tajikistan’s power sector plan, coal is the main fuel choice in several of its scenarios to address increasing electricity demand, especially in winter. In the long term, climate change could pose risks in terms of melting glaciers and increasing droughts.

What happens if Tajikistan's power system fails?

Barki Tajik, the state power utility company, has kept Tajikistan’s power system functioning under difficult circumstances, but the system is increasingly vulnerable to a major breakdown that would jeopardize the supply of electricity to all customers and cause enormous damage to Tajikistan’s economy.