Rising temperatures and a lack of rainfall have hit the landlocked nation in Central Asia, a region on the frontlines of global climate change.
"Electricity restrictions are being imposed as of September 22," a spokesman for Barqi Tojik, Tajikistan's state electricity company, told AFP.
The Central Asian country relies on melting glaciers across its vast mountain ranges to fill its rivers, lakes and reservoirs that in turn power the hydroelectric plants.
"Due to low rainfall last winter, water supplies to the Vakhsh river have diminished considerably," Barqi Tojik said of one of Tajikistan's main waterways.
Warmer temperatures also mean that the 20,000 glaciers across Tajikistan and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan are unable to regenerate sufficiently through the winter.
Barqi Tojik predicted seasonal power shortages of "over one billion kilowatt hours", equivalent to more than five percent of Tajikistan's total annual electricity generation.
Among the power plants facing possible water shortages is the Nurek facility, which provides electricity to more than half of Tajikistan's 10 million people.
"We ask the Tajik people to prepare for the winter period and to use electricity sparingly," the company said.
Despite its vast hydroelectric potential, Tajikistan is plagued by chronic energy problems.
President Emomali Rahmon has vowed to achieve energy independence through the controversial Rogun hydropower station, currently under construction.
If completed, the multi-billion-dollar dam would become the tallest in the world once completed. It has been blighted by a lack of funding and building delays.
Related Links
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
