On April 25, at the Palace of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, Honourable Emomali Rahmon, held a working meeting with officials from a number of state structures and heads of state investment projects in the energy sector.

The President of the country, Emomali Rahmon, emphasized that the purpose of the meeting is to review the implementation of state investment projects in the energy sector, in particular, projects to reduce electricity losses and eliminate existing shortcomings in this area.

At the same time, the Head of State stated that the issue of providing the population and economic and social sectors with electricity is one of the top priorities of the state and the Government, and the Government of the country is implementing many measures in this direction.

It was noted that over the years of independence, the Government of the country has implemented 36 state investment projects worth 89 billion somoni to increase the capacity of electricity production, strengthen the infrastructure of the energy system, and save and use electricity efficiently.

In particular, 3 projects have been implemented in the field of reducing electricity losses for a total of 1.1 billion somoni, and the implementation of 3 more projects for a total of 2.9 billion somoni is ongoing.

In 2024, 11 new agreements were signed in the energy sector for the implementation of 7 state investment projects for a total of 9.6 billion somoni, which will contribute to achieving the strategic goals of national economic development.

The Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon, stated that as a result of the implementation of the Government’s initiatives to develop the energy sector, more than 2,000 megawatts of new capacity have been commissioned, increasing the volume of electricity production from 17 billion kilowatt-hours in 1991 to 22.4 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024.

The Head of State emphasized that currently the country is implementing 20 state investment projects in the energy sector for a total of 1 billion 653 million dollars, which accounts for 36 percent of the total amount of state investment projects. That is, the main part of the funds attracted is directed precisely to the energy sector.

The Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, paid special attention to the issues of quickly eliminating the problems and issues that need to be resolved in the energy sector, in particular, completely improving the supply of electricity to the country’s population and sectors of the national economy.

In this regard, the Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, set the conservation and efficient use of electricity as an important and inevitable task.

In the opinion of the Head of State, the issue of electricity losses and its illegal use in the country remains a concern.

Therefore, it was emphasized that in order to introduce control over the accounting and proper use of electricity, the Energy Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan was established, and the country’s legislation provided for criminal liability for the illegal use of electricity.

The working meeting discussed the implementation of state investment projects in the energy sector, the expansion of the process of installing modern electricity meters, and the implementation of other planned measures to reduce electricity losses.

Deputy Prime Minister Usmonali Usmonzoda, Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma, Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management Rahimzoda Sulton, Director of the State Institution “Center for Management of Projects in the Electric Power Sector” Asrorzoda Nusratullo, Director of the “Energy Loss Reduction Project Implementation Group” Shukurzoda Farhod, and Director of Investment Projects and International Relations of the Limited Liability Company “Avesto Group” Bezhan Azonov reported on these issues.

The Head of State was informed by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Tajikistan, Habibullo Vohidzoda, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ramazon Rahimzoda, about the practical implementation of the new provisions of the country’s legislation on establishing criminal liability for the illegal use of electricity and non-payment for it.

In particular, it was reported that appropriate checks were conducted to identify and prosecute violators of the new established procedure.

The Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, drew conclusions on the issues discussed and set specific tasks for the responsible parties.

In particular, the President of the country instructed to take comprehensive measures to reduce electricity losses and its efficient use as a key issue ensuring the country’s socio-economic development.

Also, in order to eliminate existing shortcomings and strengthen the process of effective implementation of state investment projects, relevant ministries and departments and project managers were once again instructed to properly monitor the process of implementing state investment projects, especially in the direction of reducing electricity losses, and to take necessary measures for timely and high-quality holding of procurement tenders and implementation of concluded contracts.

The Head of State instructed officials in the sector to use existing opportunities and means, including through mass media, with the involvement of intellectuals and public activists, to widely and specifically explain to each family of the country the essence of the provisions of the new legislation on the severity of criminal liability for illegal use of electricity.

As was emphasized, everyone should be well aware that in the future, liability for the illegal use of electricity and non-payment for it will be increased, including criminal liability, up to imprisonment for up to 10 years.

At the end of the working meeting, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, once again instructed the heads and officials of ministries and departments, as well as centers and groups of project implementation to completely improve their activities and systematically take measures to promptly resolve existing problems and issues in the sector.