The source said the two countries’ energy bodies had signed an agreement to supply 500m kWh of electricity to Uzbekistan at a price of 1.5 cents per kilowatt.

"Over 400m kWh of electricity has been exported to the neighbouring country. About 20m kWh is exported daily. The remaining part will be supplied by the end of August," the source added.

Asked why the electricity is being exported at a lower price while the tariff is 7.5 dirams (1.6 cents) for domestic consumers, the source at the Ministry of Energy and Industry said this was connected with Tajikistan’s limited access to the sales markets of the neighbouring states.

"On the other hand, it is better to sell electricity at 1.5 cents per kilowatt than idling the water in turbines," the source added.

Currently, Tajikistan’s Norak hydroelectric power plant generates 75m kWh of electricity per day.