Rahmon announced an increase in electricity production

On July 13, Emomali Rahmon was in the city of Rogun as part of a working trip.

Photo: Internet

As reported by the president’s press service, in his speech at a meeting with the builders of the Rogun hydroelectric power station, Rahmon emphasized that since the start of operations of the two units of the power station, more than 4.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity have been generated.

It was reported that during his speech, the president highlighted that over 31 billion somoni had been allocated from the state budget and other sources for the construction of the Rogun HPP from 2008 to 2021, and in 2022, 2.6 billion somoni will be allocated from the state budget for the continuation of the construction of the power station.

The president noted that during the period of the country’s independence, 287 small and large hydroelectric power stations and 1 heat center, 1,500 kilometers of high-voltage power lines, and 50 high-voltage substations have been built and reconstructed, and a total of 75 percent of the energy resource infrastructure of the country has been repaired, with more than 2000 megawatts of additional energy capacity constructed.

In 2021, for the first time in the entire history of the country’s independence, electricity production reached 20.6 billion kilowatt-hours, the president reported, calling it a significant achievement in the industry.

Rahmon reported on significant achievements, the increase in electricity production, and the construction of new power stations, although at the same time the country faces a shortage of electricity in the winter period, and even during severe frosts, a “limit” on electricity consumption is imposed across the country.

He also did not mention whether the “limit” would be lifted this year.

Additionally, he did not say anything about the sale of electricity to neighboring countries and the revenue from exports, nor whether the income from electricity sales replenishes the country’s budget or is directed elsewhere.

In his speech, Emomali Rahmon also did not mention the European Union’s investments in the Rogun HPP. Earlier, it was reported that the European Investment Bank would become the “largest investor” in the Rogun HPP project at the request of the European Commission.

According to Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy Daler Juma, the construction of the Rogun HPP will cost about 8 billion dollars. Despite the fact that more than 3 billion dollars have already been invested in the project from state funds and loans, the government of Tajikistan has appealed to the European Union for financial assistance to complete the project.