DUSHANBE, February 25, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament has ratified a grant agreement between the Government of Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank on the Wholesale Metering and Transmission Reinforcement Project.

A regular sitting of the sixth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the fourth convocation, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov, was held on February 25.

Speaking at the session, Deputy Finance Minister Jamoliddin Nouraliyev noted that the project stipulates installation of new modern electricity meters and more than 1,800 transformers as well as construction of 95 kilometers of new 220kV transmission line that will allow reducing power losses and improving power supply in the city of Panjakent in the northern province of Sughd.

A total cost of project is 67 million U.S. dollars, including a US$ 54 million grant provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 13 million U.S. dollars contributed by the Government of Tajikistan, the deputy finance minister noted.

The project is expected to improve: 1) electricity wholesale metering and billing all over the country; and 2) electricity supply in Panjakent through reinforcement of high voltage transmission network.  The outcome of the project will be an expanded and metered transmission system.  The outputs of the project include: 1) installation of 2,700 wholesale meters and billing system; and 2) a new 220kV transmission line interconnecting the Panjakent and Ayni districts.