Page 28 - DIALOGUE FOR DEVELOPMENT №2
P. 28
racterizes the ability of the country be self-sufficient in all kinds of energy resources
but exclusively domestic. Tajikistan in the foreseeable future will not be able to do so.
Under certain conditions and massive investments, it is probably possible to achieve a
self-sufficiency of country with a maximum of two types of energy resources (electricity
and possibly coal). There are only two countries in the world whish theoretically capable
of achieving energy independence, which have on their territories all types of energy
resources in abundance - it is the United States and Russia. However, even these
countries do not aspire to such a goal, primarily because of economic inexpediency, i.e.
overpricing to achieve this goal.
Today, when energy deficit in most parts of the country for several months is a reality,
and restrictions on access to energy affects almost all people, energy security should be
one of the main priorities of economic policy. In Tajikistan access to reliable electricity is
a critical issue for the country's economic development, poverty reduction and the
achievement of national development goals. The situation with power shortages
seriously affect the work of industrial enterprises and the service sector, has a negative
impact on outputs and performance of enterprises. Particularly negative impact of
limited supply of electricity is felt in the activity of small and medium-sized businesses.
According to one recent study, the reliability of the electricity system, which has a
negative impact on the development of entrepreneurship, was named as one of the
main obstacles to doing business in Tajikistan by 80 percent of firms. Therefore,
ensuring a reliable and high-quality access to the energy for the entire population of the
country, the sphere of production and services, as well as the efficient use of energy in
order to reduce poverty in the country, should be one of the main objectives of national
economic policy of Tajikistan.
At present, almost all countries - both developed and developing - to ensure their
energy security, increase investment to alternative and "green" energy technologies
based on renewable energy sources. The era of hydrocarbon economy based on oil
and gas, is ending. We must recognize this and after recognizing – to start the
implementation of specific measures for the consistent introduction and gradual
production in the country the most advanced technologies in the field of renewable
energy. We believe that Tajikistan, which has not its own fuel base for transport, but has
great potential for the production of electricity, would have to switch to electric vehicles.
Thus, a country can phase out from the import of fuel, and not spend foreign-currency
reserves for it. Switching to electric vehicles might be started from the urban and public
transport. In neighboring China, there is a very successful experience during more than
ten years of effective using of buses with electric batteries that need no wires, as the
trolleybuses. It is possible to start with assembling, and then the production of such
buses in the country. This will also significantly improve the environmental situation in
Tajikistan, already choking on car exhaust.
It should be noted that today renewable energy generates more jobs in the world than
fossil fuels. It is expected that by 2030, investment in renewable energy sources will
amount to 630 billion US Dollars and it ensure the creation of at least 20 million
additional jobs. The regions of Tajikistan has a huge untapped potential for productive
employment in provision the services and product development in the field of energy
efficiency and sustainable transport, water supply, sanitation and waste management.
These spheres can attract foreign direct investment, as they are a priority for private
but exclusively domestic. Tajikistan in the foreseeable future will not be able to do so.
Under certain conditions and massive investments, it is probably possible to achieve a
self-sufficiency of country with a maximum of two types of energy resources (electricity
and possibly coal). There are only two countries in the world whish theoretically capable
of achieving energy independence, which have on their territories all types of energy
resources in abundance - it is the United States and Russia. However, even these
countries do not aspire to such a goal, primarily because of economic inexpediency, i.e.
overpricing to achieve this goal.
Today, when energy deficit in most parts of the country for several months is a reality,
and restrictions on access to energy affects almost all people, energy security should be
one of the main priorities of economic policy. In Tajikistan access to reliable electricity is
a critical issue for the country's economic development, poverty reduction and the
achievement of national development goals. The situation with power shortages
seriously affect the work of industrial enterprises and the service sector, has a negative
impact on outputs and performance of enterprises. Particularly negative impact of
limited supply of electricity is felt in the activity of small and medium-sized businesses.
According to one recent study, the reliability of the electricity system, which has a
negative impact on the development of entrepreneurship, was named as one of the
main obstacles to doing business in Tajikistan by 80 percent of firms. Therefore,
ensuring a reliable and high-quality access to the energy for the entire population of the
country, the sphere of production and services, as well as the efficient use of energy in
order to reduce poverty in the country, should be one of the main objectives of national
economic policy of Tajikistan.
At present, almost all countries - both developed and developing - to ensure their
energy security, increase investment to alternative and "green" energy technologies
based on renewable energy sources. The era of hydrocarbon economy based on oil
and gas, is ending. We must recognize this and after recognizing – to start the
implementation of specific measures for the consistent introduction and gradual
production in the country the most advanced technologies in the field of renewable
energy. We believe that Tajikistan, which has not its own fuel base for transport, but has
great potential for the production of electricity, would have to switch to electric vehicles.
Thus, a country can phase out from the import of fuel, and not spend foreign-currency
reserves for it. Switching to electric vehicles might be started from the urban and public
transport. In neighboring China, there is a very successful experience during more than
ten years of effective using of buses with electric batteries that need no wires, as the
trolleybuses. It is possible to start with assembling, and then the production of such
buses in the country. This will also significantly improve the environmental situation in
Tajikistan, already choking on car exhaust.
It should be noted that today renewable energy generates more jobs in the world than
fossil fuels. It is expected that by 2030, investment in renewable energy sources will
amount to 630 billion US Dollars and it ensure the creation of at least 20 million
additional jobs. The regions of Tajikistan has a huge untapped potential for productive
employment in provision the services and product development in the field of energy
efficiency and sustainable transport, water supply, sanitation and waste management.
These spheres can attract foreign direct investment, as they are a priority for private
