BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 6
By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend:
Uzbekistan has started seasonal imports of electricity from Tajikistan’s hydropower plants, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan.
"During the summer, i.e. during agricultural irrigation, electricity generated from water stored in reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants in Tajikistan is exported to Uzbekistan. This was implemented to increase the flow of water into Uzbekistan's water basins," the message said.
On 2 May 2020, in order to maintain a balance of energy and water resources in the country, national electric grids of Uzbekistan and Barqi Tojik (Tajikistan) signed an agreement for the period from May through September 2020.
National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan said electricity imports are currently accepted through two 220 kW high-voltage grids, and during the summer months, when demand for electricity and water is increasing, 500 kW grids are used.
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan resumed mutual supplies of electricity in 2018. They were terminated in 2009, when Uzbekistan withdrew from the unified energy system of Central Asia.
According to the agreements of the parties, Tajikistan exports electricity to the neighboring country only in the months when its own domestic needs are fully met. According to Uzbekenergo, up to 1.5 billion kWh of electricity was imported from Tajikistan in 2018.
In addition, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan planing to build two joint hydropower plants, with a total capacity of 320 MW on the Zarafshan River in Tajikistan.
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