Electricity rationing has been introduced in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) for the first time in recent years.  This measure is due to the cold weather and a 15% decrease in the water level of Yashilkul Lake compared to last year, which has caused an energy shortage in the region, according to Pamir Energy Company (PE), which is managing the region’s power grid.

An official source within PE says power supply is currently limited in remote settlements of the region, where freezing temperatures prevail.  Electricity continues to be provided regularly only to GBAO’s capital, Khorog, and district centers from Vanj to Ishkashim, while villages have electricity several hours  per day.

“The main reasons for the energy limit are the low water level in Yashilkul Lake, worsening weather conditions, and increased electricity consumption,” the source explained.

Yashilkul Lake is the main water source for the Gund River, which powers GBAO’s largest hydropower plants (HPPs) – the Pamir-1 HPP (installed capacity of 28 MW) and the Khorog HPP (installed capacity of 9 MW).

According to the source, electricity supply restrictions in villages can last up to 6 hours a day or even more.  The company also warned that additional power outages or increased electricity supply may occur in specific areas depending on weather conditions.

“Therefore, exact electricity supply schedules will not be published to avoid additional complications,” the source noted.

PE urged residential customers to be understanding of the situation and to follow further updates.

It is worth noting that the electricity rationing has not been introduced in GBAO at least since 2010, unlike other parts of the country. The GBAO power system operates independently from the national energy grid.

GBAO’s power network has been managed by PE since December 2002 under a 25-year concession agreement, transferring operations from the state-owned Barqi Tojik.  PE now manages eleven small and mini hydropower plants with a total installed capacity of 44.16 MW and power transmission lines (35/10/0.4 kV) with a total length of 2,609 km.

Pamir Energy was established in 2002 by the Government of Tajikistan, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a public-private partnership to address the lack of electrification in GBAO.  AKFED and IFC are the company’s shareholders.  Over the last two decades, PE has worked with partners, including the United States Government, to improve the provision of electricity in the region.  Since 2002, the company has invested more than US$240 million to repair the electrical infrastructure of GBAO and expand capacity.  In the wake of these efforts, PE has electrified 98% of GBAO, the remaining 2% that is located in highly isolated areas is supposed to be electrified through customized off-grid solutions.   

Meanwhile, freezing temperatures persist in GBAO. According to the Hydrometeorology Agency (Hydromet), partly cloudy weather with no significant precipitation is expected in the region on December 18.

In western GBAO, average nighttime temperatures will vary from -6°C to -11°C, and average daytime temperatures will range from -1°C to +4°C, with some areas reaching +6°C.  In Khorog, nighttime temperatures will range from -7°C to -9°C, and daytime from -1°C to +10°C.  In Darvoz district, nighttime temperatures will range from 0°C to -20°C, and daytime from +6°C to +8°C. 

In eastern GBAO, including the Bulunkul area, severe nighttime frosts are expected from -24°C to -33°C, with daytime temperatures ranging from -7°C to -12°C.  In Murgab district,  nighttime temperatures will drop to -25°C, with daytime temperatures between -7°C and -9°C.

Energy situation in Tajikistan

In other regions of Tajikistan, the power rationing was introduced on September 22.

Barqi Tojik explained that the restrictions are due to low precipitation last winter, which led to reduced water levels in the Vakhsh River and, as a result, limited electricity production.

Experts predict that the seasonal energy deficit could exceed one billion kilowatt-hours, leading to regular power outages in the capital and other regions.

Residents of Dushanbe report frequent power cuts, sometimes lasting several hours or even an entire day, especially in the city center, where outages are often attributed to emergencies.

Tajikistan struggles with electricity rationing 30 years after independence, despite long-held dreams of becoming an energy export powerhouse.

Measures rationing electricity supplies are usually introduced in all regions of the country except Dushanbe, regional administrative centers and major cities of the country and they seek to curb the country's rising electricity consumption.  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.