DUSHANBE, November 2, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Electricity rationing is expected to be introduced in Tajikistan within the next few days.

The Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI) and Barqi Tojik power holding (Tajik electricity supplier) have already submitted their suggestions on this subject to the government.

The source at a MoEI says 1.273 billion kWh of electricity will be provided per month during autumn-winter 2010-2010.  “86 million kWh of electric power per month will be supplied to Sughd province, 152 million kWh of electricity will be supplied to Khatlon province and 108 million kWh of electric power will be supplied to districts subordinate to the center,” says the source, “Dushanbe will have 220 million kWh of electricity per month during the autumn-winter period.”

He added that under their suggestions electricity rationing will not affect regional administrative centers and cities.  “The government will consider our suggestions and set the date for electricity rationing within the next few days,” the source said.

He stressed that electricity rationing has not yet been introduced in the country.  “We have just cut electricity supplies to enterprises, organizations and residential customers in some areas that are in deep with Barqi Tojik.”

Electricity rationing seeking to curb the country’s rising electricity consumption and stemming from a decline in the water level in the country’s reservoirs powering the main hydropower plants is usually introduced in all regions of Tajikistan except Dushanbe in October or November and last through April next year.