Central Asian states are striving to create a unified power supply system
The Central Asian states are trying to restore the common energy system. So, Tashkent and Dushanbe agreed on supplying of Tajik electricity to Uzbek consumers for the vegetation period of 2018. In addition, the parties agreed to consider separately issues on supply of electricity from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan in the winter season. During the USSR period, a common Central Asian energy system was created and operated. It enabled Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik and Kyrgyz consumers to use electricity, covering the energy deficit at the expense of the common system. Turkmenistan was the only country in the region that both covered its electricity needs and supplied surplus electricity to the regional energy system. This allowed the Central Asian countries to avoid a shortage of electricity. After the USSR collapse, the power system gradually disintegrated, which led a number of countries in the region to face with electricity problems. At present, cooperation ties in Central Asia, including in the electric power industry are expanding. Earlier, Tashkent announced the completion of work on two power transmission lines and readiness for the transit of Turkmen electricity via Uzbek territory to other countries of the region and Afghanistan. In fact, this will lead to restoration of common energy system of Central Asia on new market principles. Thus, Turkmenistan will have the opportunity to increase its electricity exports, while other countries of the region will have access to electricity. Turkmenistan is a self-sufficient energy state. The country produces electricity in excess of its needs, and is the fourth largest country on natural gas reserves in the world.
