Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma has instructed the country’s electricity distribution company to reduce power losses, ensure full payment for electricity consumed and eliminate cases of inflated figures.
The instructions were issued on October 13 during a meeting reviewing the performance of OJSC Electricity Distribution Networks over the first nine months of 2026, according to the ministry’s official Telegram channel.
Juma also called for complete metering of electricity consumers, improved public services and stricter compliance with safety regulations.
The meeting reviewed the company’s financial performance and the work of its regional branches, identifying shortcomings alongside what officials described as positive financial results.
Particular attention was paid to preparations for the 2026–2027 autumn-winter period. Juma stressed that ensuring the stable and reliable operation of distribution networks must remain a priority for the company’s management and regional branches.
Electricity losses fall by nearly a third
In the first half of 2026, electricity losses in Tajikistan’s distribution networks amounted to 1.25 billion kilowatt-hours, or 12.42% of the total electricity received, Asia-Plus reported in July.
Compared with the same period in 2025, losses fell by 583 million kilowatt-hours, or nearly 32%. Their share of electricity received declined by 5.51 percentage points.
According to Electricity Distribution Networks, the reduction was achieved through the installation of smart meters, grid reconstruction, replacement of worn-out power lines and tighter controls over electricity consumption.
Earlier this summer, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources reported significant progress in Dushanbe, Bokhtar, Kulob and Khujand.
At the time, smart meters had been installed for 81% of subscribers in Dushanbe and 42% of consumers in Sughd region. In Khujand, the figure stood at 20%.
The ministry expects the continued rollout of modern meters and billing systems to help reduce losses further.
Why do electricity losses and billing errors occur?
Electricity losses are not caused solely by ageing infrastructure. They can also result from illegal connections, meter tampering, measurement errors and non-payment for consumed electricity.
Homidjon Orifov, a leading research fellow at the Institute of Economics and Demography of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, distinguishes between technical losses during transmission, measurement-related losses caused by inaccurate instruments, and commercial losses associated with electricity theft, metering violations and payment problems.
Orifov has also highlighted cases of unjustified electricity bills and debt charges imposed on consumers.
In one example, he cited a rural subscriber who was incorrectly charged nearly 23,000 somoni for electricity in 2022. An inspection involving energy supervision authorities subsequently confirmed an error by employees of the electricity sales organization.
The expert argues that modernizing metering equipment must be accompanied by stronger oversight to ensure billing accuracy. Smart meters alone, he notes, cannot eliminate all electricity theft and metering violations.
Tajikistan aims to reduce losses to 9%
In his address to parliament in December 2023, President Emomali Rahmon set a target of reducing electricity losses to 9%.
The government is pursuing this goal through power grid modernization, the installation of smart meters and the introduction of automated electricity metering systems.
However, losses in distribution networks remained at 12.42% in the first half of 2026 — 3.42 percentage points above the target.
| Indicator | Volume (million kWh) | Loss rate |
| Actual figures for 2025 | 1833.33 | 17.79% |
| Actual figures for 2026 | 1248.37 | 12.42% |
| Difference between H1 2025 and H1 2026 | -582.26 | −5.51 percentage points |
| 2026 target | 1501.69 | 14.23% |
| Difference compared with the target | -253.32 | −1.81 percentage points |
Thus, despite the reductions achieved, energy companies still face the tasks of further improving electricity metering, ensuring full payment for consumed electricity, and enhancing the reliability of power supply to the public.