DUSHANBE, June 17, 2014, Asia-Plus – Construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and implementation of the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA 1000) are strategic goals of Tajikistan, Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Poulod Muhiddinov, announced at a regional conference on best practices in energy cooperation in Dushanbe on June 17.

According to him, Tajikistan dependence on oil and gas imports has a negative impact on the country’s economy and its energy security as well as the social situation of the population.

Development of hydropower is one of priorities of Tajikistan’s energy sector, Tajik official said.

He also noted that the Government of Tajikistan had made a decision on diversification of generation of electric power in the country – shifting combined heat and power plants from natural gas to coal and construction of new coal-fired power plants.

“Construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and implementation of the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA 1000) are strategic goals of Tajikistan,” said Muhiddinov.  “”Implementation of these projects will allow creating the conditions for sustainable electricity trade between Central Asia’s countries of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and the South Asian countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”