DUSHANBE, July 1, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The 110kV power transmission line, Varzob-Ayni, has been put into operation that will allow to provide the Zarafshon Valley in northern Tajikistan with Tajik electricity, Asia-Plus has learned at Tajik electricity, Barqi Tojik.

Earlier, residents of the Zarafshon Valley had received electricity from Uzbekistan at the rate of 4.2 cents per 1 kWh.  “Now, they will have to pay only 1.6 cents per one kWh,” the source at Barqi Tojik said.

According to him, the Varzob-Ayni power grid is not able to provide the entire Zarafshon Valley with electric power and it will be used until the 220 kV power transmission line, Khujand-Ayni, is introduced into operation.  “Construction of the Khujand-Ayni power grid will begin already this month,” said the source, “After the introduction of the Khujand-Ayni power grid into operation, the Varzob-Ayni power transmission line will be used as the reserve line.”

We will recall that an agreement between Barqi Tojik and China’s TBEA on construction of the Khujand-Ayni power grid was signed on June 18, 2010 during President Rahmon’s visit to China.  The project sponsored by the Chinese government (12.7 million U.S. dollars) is designed for 1.5 years.