Speaking at a ceremony after the launch of the third unit of the Russian-built Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power station, he also pledged unlimited power supplies to the capital and major towns this winter. The following is an excerpt from Rahmon’s speech, broadcast on the frequency of the state-owned Tajik TV’s First Channel on 5 November by the newly launched round-the-clock Tajik TV news channel Jahonnamo; subheadings have been inserted editorially:

President Rahmon in Tajik said:

Dear compatriots, Esteemed Mr Ambassador of Russia to Tajikistan Ramazan Abdulatipov, and dear builders and guests,

In the past 10 months, it is the third time that we have gathered on the occasion of putting into operation units of the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power station and we consider this as a very important and pleasant event for the country’s people.

In the conditions of Tajikistan, which has faced many difficulties in autumn and winter for several years in a row due to electricity shortage, every step taken to meet the country’s energy needs is really very important.

It is pleasant that the third unit of the power station is being put into operation on the eve of the Constitution Day of Tajikistan [marked in the country on 6 November] and is being presented to our country’s people as a holiday present.

At the same time, I would like to tell the honourable people of Tajikistan that the supply of electricity to people will be increased by three hours a day this November as against the same period of last year and by four hours [a day] in the [coming] three winter months, that is December, January and February.

Furthermore, electricity will be supplied to the country’s capital of Dushanbe and the centres of the regions and other towns where there are multi-storey residential buildings without any limitation.

I also appeal to the people of Tajikistan to make a habit of using electricity and gas rationally and economically and pay for gas and electricity used in a timely manner.

Because, as everyone knows, we are buying 8m kWh and 1m kWh of electricity from the fraternal countries of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan [respectively] every day this November alone. Gas is also mainly imported to our country.

A total of 840m kWh of electricity have been generated at the power station since 20 January this year, and as a result, its acute shortage has been alleviated to a certain extent.

With the third unit being put into operation, the systematic and effective use of water resources and reliable supply [of electricity] to our country’s energy system will significantly improve. According to a project, the capacity of the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power station is nearly 700 MW. After the fourth unit is put into operation, the annual production of electricity at the [power] station will reach 2.7bn kWh.

Concern that the construction of hydro-energy facilities in Tajikistan will lead to the deterioration of the ecological system and a decrease in the water flow of the rivers in the region is groundless, because hydroelectric power stations do not withdraw water from the main flow, unlike irrigation which uses water resources, 80-85 per cent of which go irreversibly.

In connection with this, I stress once again that the construction of hydro-energy facilities on Tajikistan’s rivers is aimed at, above all, balancing water and energy problems of the region and in the short run they will become the only method of alleviating damage from possible shortages of water and floods in the middle and lower reaches of [the River] Amu Darya.

These facilities will also make it possible to increase the water supply to fields being exploited and reclaim new land. Examinations carried out by independent experts from the World Bank and leading European scientists are proof of all what has been said.