DUSHANBE, October 9, Asia-Plus -- Top managers of Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding have stated that all holding’s sub-divisions and facilities are made ready for working in autumn-winter 2007-2008.   

            All main and unscheduled repairs to generators of the Norak hydroelectric power station (HPS) have been completed and reservoir powering the Norak HPS has enough water to ensure normal functioning of the station in the autumn-winter season.    

            According to Barqi Tojik, some 50 kilometers of 500-kilvolt, more than 60 kilometers of 220-kilovolt, and some 250 kilometers of 110-kilovolt power grids, as well as 85 kilometers of power-transmission cables have been repaired.  Besides, some 650 substations of different capacities have been repaired and made ready for functioning.   

            Capacity of one of substations of the central power grid of the country has been increased from 6,000 kW to 16,000 kW.  

We will recall that Nozirjon Yodgori, a spokesman for Barqi Tojik, announced on October 2 the imposition of new rationing for electricity supplies throughout the country.  The rationing is to go into effect in all regions, with the sole exception of the capital Dushanbe, and is the latest attempt to curb rising demand for electricity in Tajikistan following an acute shortage of electricity last winter and early spring. The new restrictions are to last through April 2008 and will reduce the supply of daily electrical power to eleven hours, or five hours in the morning, from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m., and six hours in the evening, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.