DUSHANBE (Avesta news agency) — At the meeting with journalists, the first deputy head of Tajiktransgaz, Shavkat Shaimzoda, stated that twelve enterprises in Tajikistan use already natural gas imported from Uzbekistan.

According to him, in the second quarter of this year the volume of imports of natural gas from the neighbouring country amounted to 3.5 mln m³:

Over the 15 days of July, the import of “blue fuel” from the neighbouring country has increased dramatically. During this period, about 1 mln m³ of gas was imported. The growth in gas purchase volumes depends on the number of subscribers.

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Currently, 12 Tajik enterprises use Uzbek natural gas. The applications of a number of other enterprises are being considered.

According to him, the main consumer of natural gas is the aluminium company Talco. Currently, preparatory work is underway to provide Dushanbe thermal power station with natural gas during the heating season.

Shaimzoda also noted that this year it is planned to import 151 mln m³ of natural gas from Uzbekistan. In the case of new demands from Tajik consumers, the volume of imports can be increased. However, he specified:

One of the conditions for the supply of natural gas from a neighbouring country is the implementation of an advance payment.

The representative of Tajiktransgaz stressed that at present the issue of supplying the population with natural gas from Uzbekistan is not considered. The interlocutor refrained from disclosing the cost of importing Uzbek gas.