DUSHANBE, November 21, Asia-Plus  -- According to Barqi Tojik (Tajik electricity system) power holding, the winter schedule for electricity distribution could be increased due to cutting off electricity supplies to private bakeries and industrial enterprises having large electricity debts. 

The source at Barqi Tojik said contracts being concluded with private bakeries and confectioner’s shops working on electricity stipulate conditions on electricity supplies.  “Under these conditions they have to be shifted to other energy resources in case of the severe power shortages,” said the source, “If enterprise does not fulfill these conditions Barqi Tojik has the right to cut off electricity supplies to it.”  

Besides, all Barqi Tojik’s subdivisions across the country have been charged to insect all enterprises irrespective of forms of property concerning their electricity debts.  Electricity to the most incorrigible nonpayers will be cut off.  

As it had been reported earlier, at the beginning of October, Tajikistan began a winter schedule for electricity distribution, under which households and offices receive electricity for only two periods a day, in the mornings and evenings, totaling six to eight hours.

On October 2, Nozirjon Yodgori, a spokesman for Barqi Tojik power holding, announced on October 2 the imposition of new rationing for electricity supplies throughout the country.  The rationing went into effect in all regions, with the sole exception of the capital Dushanbe, and is the latest attempt to curb rising demand for electricity in Tajikistan following an acute shortage of electricity last winter and early spring. The new restrictions that will last through April 2008 reduced the supply of daily electrical power to eleven hours, or five hours in the morning, from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m., and six hours in the evening, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Speaking at a November 19 working meeting with participation of heads of some ministries and organizations, President Emomali Rahmon ordered to increase the introduced winter schedule for electricity distribution by one hour.  

Although Tajikistan has a greater hydroelectric power capacity than any other country in Central Asia and has the potential to generate more than 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, it is  the only country in the region that faces the severe power shortages for several months every year.  To cover its power shortages during winter months the country needs further 3-3.5 billion kWh of electricity.