Tajikistan is nearing the join to the Central Asia's common power grid before June 2024, marking a leap in regional power connectivity, Uzbekistan's Energy Minister, Jurabek Mirzamahmudov said. Discussions about Tajikistan's return to Central Asia's unified energy system began in late 2021. Although originally planned for 2022, the process has faced several delays. 

"We are developing intra-regional trade and cooperation, we are already collaborating very closely on the supply, export, import and transit of electricity with our neighbours - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. This month we expect Tajikistan to also join our joint Central Asian power grid," stated Minister Mirzamahmudov.

Established in the 1970s, the Unified Power System (UES) of Central Asia and Southern Kazakhstan was designed to balance seasonal fluctuations in electricity demand and water needs during the irrigation period. In winter, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan store water in reservoirs and receive electricity and energy resources from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. In summer, they would direct water to their neighbours for irrigation and would supply excess electricity.

Tajikistan's Energy and Water Resources Minister, Daler Juma, outlined the plan, stating, "We still plan to prepare the northern part [of Tajikistan's energy system] for connection by the end of this year, but the direct launch of this line will be in April 2024."

Tajikistan's joining will benefit all the countries in the region. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will no longer face electricity shortages in the autumn-winter period, while Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan will have stable water supply during the irrigation season. Tajikistan will return to winter water storage, meeting its electricity needs with supplies from downstream countries. In summer, it will meet the irrigation water needs of its neighbours with stored winter water.