Increasing power exports from Tajikistan to Afghanistan will be escalated.
In a move that showcases the tightrope between satisfying Tajikistan's domestic requirements and the need for stable earnings, the state-owned power company expressed plans to escalate electricity sales to Afghanistan by a staggering 17 percent in 2024, despite ongoing scarcity within the nation.
On the 13th of February, Barki Tojik's head Mahmadumar Asozoda shared these insights with the press, revealing that in 2023, the company had exported a robust 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours, a significant jump from the previous year's 2.57 billion. Around 60% of this total was sent to Afghanistan, amounting to 1.6 billion kilowatt-hours, while the remaining portion was divided between Uzbekistan (907.5 million) and Kazakhstan (144.6 million).
However, Asozoda was quick to acknowledge that the increased electricity demand driven by Tajikistan's burgeoning population and upgraded living standards might lead to another round of power rationing, a situation households in Tajikistan have endured during the colder months for several winters now. During such economy regimes, households in areas outside major cities experience blackouts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by another interval from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The Asia-Plus news website reported that Asozoda attributed this strict power usage to the country's population growth and enhanced lifestyle, leading to higher energy demand. Yet, he categorically denied any tension between boosting electricity exports and addressing the needs of the Tajik population. In his words, any suspension of exports occurs during the winter, with a small amount of electricity being supplied to Afghanistan to keep their power lines operational.
One factor contributing to the surge in electricity exports to Afghanistan is the reliability of payments from the Taliban-run regime in Kabul. Last February, Tajik Energy and Water Resources Minister Daler Juma informed reporters that Afghanistan had settled its outstanding power bills, marking a significant improvement from the past couple of years. The current electricity supply agreement, initially signed in 2008, will remain in effect until 2028, and a renewal protocol will be signed annually to determine the cost and volume of electricity supplies.
In December 2023, Asozoda convened with his counterpart from Afghanistan, Alhaj Mullah Muhammad Hanif Hamza, head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), to formalize the electricity purchase agreement for 2024. Taliban officials later confirmed that they had settled their entire electricity debt - amounting to $627 million - to all suppliers, including Tajikistan alongside others like Iran, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
This enhanced cooperation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is part of a broader regional initiative to strengthen energy cooperation and tackle power shortages in the area. It plays a vital role in fostering sustainable development and bolstering regional economic relationships.
In light of the enhanced electricity cooperation, Asia-Plus news reported that Barki Tojik's head Mahmadumar Asozoda shared plans to increase news about electricity sales to Afghanistan by 17 percent in 2024, highlighting the political implications of this action. Remarkably, during their December 2023 meeting, Asozoda and his counterpart from Afghanistan, Alhaj Mullah Muhammad Hanif Hamza, head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), formalized the new agreement amidst the general-news headlines about the Taliban officials settling their entire electricity debt, totaling $627 million, to all suppliers.
