DUSHANBE, November 11, 2015, Asia-Plus -- November 11 was established on the initiative of the SPARE international environmental network at the meeting of the SPARE national coordinators from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia international coordinators of the SPARE project from Norges Naturvernforbund held in Kazakhstan in April 2008.

In November 2008 the Energy Saving Day became international involving 20 countries.  This day the activities that inform people about the relationship between energy and the environment, available sources of renewable energy, the importance and methods of energy saving are held in many countries.  The International Energy Saving Day is celebrated through thematic conferences, exhibitions and energy saving campaigns involving schools, public organizations, industries and local authorities in many cities and villages around the world. The simplest energy saving measures are available for everyone and can be installed in homes, schools, offices – almost everywhere.

The issue of energy saving is much deeper than it seems at first glance.  The use of hydrocarbon fossil fuels for generating energy, higher energy consumption in all industries, losses in energy generation, transmission and consumption lead to increased contribution of human activity to the enhanced greenhouse effect and undesirable social and environmental consequences.  Nuclear energy cannot be considered to be a sustainable solution for this problem due to unsolved problem of radioactive wastes, required higher levels of subsidy and associated risks of nuclear disasters.  Large-scale hydropower projects implying flooding of large areas, destruction of ecosystems and disturbance of traditional lifestyle of local communities also affect the environment and humans.  Energy conservation through effective use of energy and reduction of unreasonable losses would alleviate the environmental pressure while meeting energy needs.  In many countries the potential resources for increased energy efficiency allow to release large amounts of energy.  This is a source of energy that can be used for meeting energy needs.  According to the International Energy Agency, energy generated by energy efficient installations is four times cheaper than energy to be produced through building new power plants.  Energy generated by energy efficient installations has less impact on the environment and humans, enables to reduce pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change.

Tajikistan has the greatest capacity for hydroelectric power in the region (over 300 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually), but during the winter it experiences electricity shortages, and therefore, it is forced to introduce electricity rationing in autumn-winter period.  Approximately 70% of the Tajik people suffer from extensive shortages of electricity during the winter.   

Measures rationing electricity supplies are usually introduced in all regions except Dushanbe and seek to curb the country''s rising electricity consumption.  The rationing is introduced in October or November and lasts through March or April next year.  The rationing results in the supply of daily electrical power being reduced to 12 or 10 hours.  In addition to curbing rising consumption, the move also stems from a decline in the water level in the country''s reservoirs powering the main hydroelectric power plants.