In Tajikistan, there are no favourable conditions for the widespread use of solar energy or for attracting investment in this sector. This is happening amid constant energy shortages and a crisis in the country’s electric power system.
Tajikistan is one of the most vulnerable to climate change countries. Rising temperatures led to glacial melting and changes in precipitation patterns. This is becoming an acute problem for the country’s hydropower system, which produces more than 95% of the country’s electric power.
In 2023, more than 21.8 billion kWh of electric power was produced in Tajikistan. However, during many years in winter, rural residents of the country have access to electric power only 8-10 hours per day.
According to authorities reports, less electricity is produced during this period annually due to reduced water flow in rivers. This, in turn, leads to the introduction of electricity limits in rural areas, where, according to official statistics, 70% of the country’s residents live.
On March 1, almost the whole country lost access to electric power. According to the authorities, the reason for the power cut in the capital and most regions of Tajikistan was an accident on the main high-voltage power lines of the country.
95% of produced electric power comes from hydropower plants. The experts believe the country has to use alternative methods of generating electric power more actively so that residents have constant access to it.
According to meteorological services, Tajikistan has between 260 and 300 sunny days a year and enormous solar energy potential. According to preliminary estimates by the Ministry of Energy, the annual potential for solar energy use is 3103 billion kWh. If these existing capabilities are used, the residents of the country’s regions would be partially provided with electricity.
Stock farmer Sohibnazar Murodov, a resident of Sari Khosor jamoat (a village in Tajikistan, located 200 kilometres southeast of Dushanbe in Baljuvon district of Khatlon region), installed solar panels on his summer pasture last year.
“This system was provided to us as part of an implemented program a year ago. It is installed on the location with no electricity,” he said during the CABAR.asia interview.
He emphasised that the electricity produced by solar panels was well used in pastures where there was no electricity before.
“We spend summers outside on pastures. We only need electricity at night for lighting and to recharge our phones,” Murodov said.
What Are the Authorities Doing?
In his annual address to the Parliament, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon stated, “To attain the goals of the Strategy on the Development of Green Economy, it is necessary to take practical measures to construct power plants using renewable energy sources and increase green energy production capacity up to 1,000 megawatts until 2030, that is, using solar and wind resources”.
During a press conference of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan on February 1, 2024, it was mentioned that in 2023, a USAID-funded solar power plant with a capacity of 600 kW was put into operation in Murghab district.
In addition, within the framework of the World Bank project “Construction of a private solar power plant in Sughd region” (with a capacity of 200 MW), on February 17, 2023, a contract and an agreement were signed with the consortium of JURU Energy Limited (UK) and Rina Consulting (Italy) for the preparation of a Project Feasibility Study.
“On March 17-18, 2023, actual work on preparing a project feasibility study began,” as it was said at the press conference.
Previously, the Ministry reported that the construction of wind and solar power plants with a capacity of 700 MW by 2030 was discussed with the Global Renewable Alliance.
How Are Investments Allocated?
In 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) allocated funds in the amount of $50 million to facilitate better access to green technologies and climate change adaptation for businesses and households in the country.
The EBRD and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) launched the Green Economy Financing Facility Tajikistan II (GEFF Tajikistan II), a project promoting higher standards of energy and resource efficiency and supporting the country’s transition to a greener economy.
In 2022, the Asian Development Bank awarded a $30 million grant to strengthen disaster risk management in Tajikistan and reduce economic losses from climate change and natural disasters.
The Experts: “Opportunities Are not Used”
Timur Idrisov, an environmental researcher and climate change expert, says that although hydropower plants produce about 90% of all electric power in Tajikistan, their share of final electricity consumption is less than 60%. The rest comes from fossil fuels. The share of solar and wind energy in the overall power balance is less than 1%.
Climate change caused glacial melting and snow cover depletion. Precipitation will become more variable. This will affect the river flows and their hydrological cycle, on which hydropower stations depend. This will reduce the reliability and capacity of both hydropower facilities and distribution networks, the expert notes.
“Giving increasing uncertainty, it is important to diversify energy sources with an emphasis on renewable sources and actively engage in energy conservation and efficiency programs. With the proper approach, the sun, without exaggeration, can become one of the main energy sources in Tajikistan after hydropower stations,” Idrisov said in the CABAR.asia interview.
According to the expert, located in the sun belt of the world, Tajikistan has great potential for the development of solar energy; the intensity of solar radiation in most regions of the country reaches 1 kW/m2.
“However, the huge potential of solar energy remains practically unused, although, according to data, Tajikistan could fulfil up to 25% of its energy needs using solar energy. Until recently, no significant solar energy projects were implemented in Tajikistan,” he explained.
According to the expert, a number of problems hinder the widespread development of solar energy in the country.
“These include the lack of clear and precise rules, presence of excessive bureaucracy, monopoly on the energy market and low tariffs, lack of local experience and expertise, outdated infrastructure, etc. To put it simply, in Tajikistan, there are still no favourable conditions for the widespread use of solar energy or for attracting investment in this sector,” Idrisov said.
How Do National Programs Work?
Tajikistan has adopted several state programs for the use of renewable energy resources.
For example, in 2010, the Law “On the Use of Renewable Sources of Energy” was adopted in Tajikistan. The National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030 and the Strategy on the Development of Green Economy for 2023-2037 recognise energy as one of the main sectors of the country. At the same time, one of the strategic goals of the government of Tajikistan is to achieve energy independence.
In addition, one of the goals of the Strategy on the Development of Green Economy for 2023-2037 in Tajikistan is to increase electricity production capacity from renewable energy sources (solar, wind, and bioenergy) by 10%.
However, according to Timur Idrisov, the programs implemented so far do not have significant results.
Back in 2007, the Program for the Integrated Use of Renewable Energy Sources for 2007-2015 was approved in Tajikistan but it was never actually implemented. In 2010, the Law “On the Use of Renewable Sources of Energy” was adopted, which was followed by a number of by-laws and orders related to the installation, connection, and operation of renewable energy facilities.
“However, this did not have a notable impact on the development of solar energy in the country,” says Idrisov.
According to him, although the diversification of energy sources and the development of alternative energy sources were recognised as important aspects, the main role was given to hydroelectricity and coal-fired thermal power plants.
It Is Necessary to Use Other Countries’ Experience
Many countries have successful experience in solar energy development.
“This industry requires clear rules, demonopolisation of the market, financial and economic incentives,” says Timur Idrisov.
In Uzbekistan, producers of renewable energy sources are exempt from property and land taxes for 10 years; individuals have the right to receive 30% compensation from the state when installing solar panels or solar water heaters. In Kyrgyzstan, there is a grace period for the purchase of electricity; for solar power plants, it is 25 years.
In Kazakhstan, investors in renewable energy projects are, among other things, exempt from customs duties, VAT on imports, and some other types of taxes. The country has an auction system for renewable energy projects.
“We should study this experience, select, and adapt things that will work most effectively in Tajikistan,” suggests Timur Idrisov.
How Will Solar Energy Benefit the Country?
Two years earlier, environmental researcher Natalia Idrisova told CABAR.asia that it was necessary to search for alternative energy sources, since relying on only one source was dangerous.
“For sure, water is a renewable source of energy and we have plenty of it. However, there is a risk that under the influence of climate change, its volume will gradually decrease over the years, taking into account the rapid melting of glaciers. Therefore, we need an alternative, and that requires government support and subsidies, which are not there yet. There is a general vision, they say it is necessary, but nothing serious is being done,” she said.
Timur Idrisov says that to obtain solar energy, there is no need to burn fuel, the installations are silent and environmentally friendly. Moreover, they are reliable and practical, requiring no maintenance for 25 years or more.
“With solar energy, we can not only generate electric power, but also, for example, heat water, heat and cool houses. Another advantage of solar energy is the possibility of its autonomous and individual use,” he says.
According to him, given the mountainous terrain of Tajikistan, the scattered and remote location of many villages, where access to central power grids is not available or is seriously limited, the use of inexpensive solar panels can significantly improve the lives of local households and reduce the load on natural resources. With the development of the renewable energy market and technologies, solar installations will become increasingly accessible to people.
“If we want to fulfil the energy needs of the population, reduce dependence on the export of petroleum products, fulfil obligations to limit greenhouse gas emissions, preserve the environment, and solve a number of socio-economic problems, we will have to actively use alternative sources of energy, including the sun,” the expert concluded.