Technical Assistance Package for supporting the energy sector reform in Tajikistan <p class="ql-align-justify">The project consists of a technical assistance package with a duration of 5 years.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">It will assist Tajikistan in implementing its energy sector reform by providing expertise and training to increase the capacities of the various stakeholders in the sector, including the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, the newly established regulator, the national electricity company (Barqi Tajik), and the transmission and system operators.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The project is foreseen to carry out a wide range of activities, including the development of policy, work plans & strategies, procurement support, assistance to improve regulatory frameworks, as well as support in reviewing the tariff methodology.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The project will help develop a more transparent and fair electricity market that will facilitate private sector investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. This will contribute not only to more stable and reliable access to electricity, but also to increased economic growth, business opportunities, job creation, more effective health and education systems, women¿s empowerment and climate mitigation.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Technical expertise to generation and transmission operators offered by the project will help reduce network losses and thereby improve the financial status of the national electricity company.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Recognising the strong connection between the water, energy, and food sectors (80% of the arable land is irrigated by means of pumped irrigation and electricity driven pumps of the irrigation system consume about 20% of the total electric power consumption of the country during watering periods), the project will help strengthen the coordination between the stakeholders in these areas.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The project will facilitate cross-border electricity trade with the neighbouring countries both inside and outside the Central Asia region. This will be done by providing expertise to improve the energy sector¿s regulatory and legal frameworks, norms and standards so that they meet the requirements at regional level. Increased regional electricity trade will contribute to a more sustainable energy supply in the wider region, generate additional income streams for Tajikistan and boost investment opportunities in the energy sector.</p>