DUSHANBE, July 31, Asia-Plus  -- Sharifkhon Samiyev, the head of the “Barqi Tojik” (Tajik electric systems) open joint-stock holding company, told a news conference in Dushanbe on July 28 that over Thursday [July 27] water level in the reservoir powering the Norak hydroelectric power station increased by three meters and at present the water level in the reservoir is lower by 19 meters compared to the same period of 2005.  

            “At present water comes to the reservoir at the rate of 2,000 cubic meters per second and this allows to hope that the reservoir will be filled in,” Mr. Sharifkhon Samiyev said.  He also noted that in the Qairoqqum reservoir, the water level has been lower by 1.65 meters compared to the same period of the last year. 

            The Tajik power holding head reminded that following a decline in the water level in the country’s reservoirs powering the main power plants, the government had made a decision to introduce new measures rationing electricity supplies to some regions of the country at nights.  Besides, these measures had sought to curb the country’s rising electricity consumption.  It was noted that consumption of electricity had increased by 4.5 million kWh.  The Tajik Aluminum Plant has accounted for 2 million kWh of this amount, and the other industrial enterprises have accounted for the remaining 2.5 million kWh. 

            “Now, I may officially state that beginning on July 28, these measures rationing electricity supplies are lifted,” Mr. Samiyev said.  

“Within the framework of preparations to ensure the regular work of the country''s economy during autumn-winter 2006-2007, during the first round of negotiations Tajikistan has reached an agreement with Kyrgyzstan on supply of 1.5 billion kWh of electricity to Tajikistan in the autumn-winter season,” noted the “Barqi Tojik” top manager, “We have to conduct the second round of negotiations with Bishkek to determine the prices and transit of electricity via the power systems of Uzbekistan.”  These negotiations will be held in Dushanbe from August 15-20, according to him.

            Mr. Samiyev also noted that Tajikistan had to stock up with fuel oil and natural gas for thermal electric power station of Dushanbe .  “We plan to increase generation of electricity by the Dushanbe thermal electric power station to 500 million KWh,” Sharifkhon Samiyev said. 

All in all, Tajikistan needs 2 billion kWh of electricity in the autumn-winter season, according to information from the Tajik power holding.

Because of a 20%-25% decline in the water level Tajikistan has not signed contracts on supplying electricity to Russia and Kazakhstan this year.