DUSHANBE, January 25, Asia-Plus  -- In 2007, Tajikistan’s hydropower plants generated totaling some 18 billion kWh of electrical power, which is 568 million kWh or 3.4 percent more than in the previous year, Deputy Energy and Industries Minister, Poulod Muhiddinov, said, noting that the Norak hydroelectric power station (HPS) accounted for some 70 percent o the total volume of electricity generated last year.  

According to him, the Pamir Energy Company (PamirEnergy) last year generated some 152 million kWh of electricity against 168 million kWh generated in 2006.  

According to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI), Tajikistan last year produced 165,000 tons of coals, which is 60 percent more than in 2006. 

However, this amount is not sufficient to meet the country’s annual requirements in coals, the deputy minister said.  

In 2007, Tajikistan reached only 69.8 percent of the national target on extraction of natural gas.  However, compared to 2006 the index of the volume of extraction of natural gas amounted to 187 percent.  

Last year, Tajikistan extracted 26,000 tons of oil, which 16 percent more than in 2006.