According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Tajikistan has negligible installed PV capacity at the end of 2023.²⁵

Tajikistan aims to achieve a combined solar and wind energy capacity of 700 megawatts by 2030. Feasibility studies for 450 megawatts of this target are already underway of which the exact fraction of solar is not published. However, one of the major projects is the Panj Solar PV Project, which is expected to have a capacity of 200 megawatts and is scheduled for completion in March 2025.¹²

Hydropower: The estimated average marginal cost of generating electricity in Tajikistan is USD 6/MWh. This low cost is largely due to the country’s abundant water resources and existing hydropower infrastructure.⁷

According to the World Bank, Tajikistan’s power production is;⁶

• Hydropower: 92%
• Hydrocarbon (coal, natural gas): 6%
• Other sources (e.g. wind power): 2%.

Electricity availability in Tajikistan can vary significantly depending on the season. During the summer months, electricity is generally available 24 hours a day in urban areas. However, in the winter, some areas experience severe shortages, with electricity available for less than 4 hours per day while some rural areas do not have access to electricity at all.⁸

From publicly available data, there is no record of the number of residential solar panel installations in Tajikistan. However, the country is making significant strides in Tajikistan renewable energy development. For instance, Tajikistan has mandated that all new and renovated buildings are to be equipped with solar energy systems starting from April 2024.⁹¹⁰

Specific number of solar farms currently installed in Tajikistan is not publicly available because the energy sector in Tajikistan has traditionally relied heavily on hydropower. However, there are few notable solar farm projects underway.

Adequate information about the off-grid solar market in Tajikistan is not found because it is still in its early stages.

There is no specific information about the current and projected market demand for on-grid solar panels, however, the grid-connected solar panel market in Tajikistan is poised for significant growth in the coming years.

Solar engineer: The average annual salary of a solar energy system engineer in Tajikistan is approximately $11,736 USD, with a range from roughly $5,402 USD to $18,873 USD.¹³

Project manager:  Specific data for salaries of solar project managers isn’t publicly available, however, the median salary for a Project Manager in Tajikistan is $284.50 USD per month.¹⁴

As of August 2024, the population of Tajikistan is currently 10,347,657.¹¹

Utilities (electricity, water, etc.)

Electricity: As of 2022, electricity rates in Tajikistan stand at $0.021 USD per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential consumers and federally funded entities, such as public utilities and sports complexes. Industrial and non-industrial consumers pay a higher rate of $0.052 USD per kWh.¹⁵

Water: A 2021 study by the International Benchmarking Network for Water and Sanitation Utilities revealed Tajikistan as having the lowest water price globally at a mere $0.10 per cubic meter.¹⁶

Equipment maintenance: There is no precise data found on the equipment maintenance costs for the solar panel production factory in Tajikistan. This is likely due to the limited number of solar PV companies in the country.

Administrative costs

• Salary & Wages: The average annual salary of a solar energy system engineer in Tajikistan is approximately $11,736 USD, with a range from roughly $5,402 USD to $18,873 USD.¹³
• Labor costs: As of May 2023, The average cost for skilled labor in Tajikistan is about $10.90 daily. ¹⁹

Research and development: The cost of research and development varies depending on the manufacturer’s expertise, experience, and the degree of innovation of its solar panels.

Quality control expenses incurred to ensure the solar panels meet performance and safety standards, including testing and inspections.

Key data points about the Tajikistan energy infrastructure are as follows:

• Total Installed Capacity: As of January 1 2021, the combined capacity of power plants in Tajikistan exceeded 6.4 gigawatts.²⁰
• Electricity Generation: In 2022, Tajikistan produced approximately 21,400 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity. Tajikistan is heavily dependent on hydropower for electricity generation, with roughly 92-94% of its power coming from hydro plants. Despite possessing an estimated 527 terawatt-hours of hydropower potential, the country currently utilizes only about 4% of this resource.⁴²¹
• Electricity Consumption: Tajikistan consumes 15.07 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to an average of 1,486 kilowatt-hours per person. With a total electricity production of more than 20 billion kilowatt-hours, the country generates 135% of its domestic needs, making self-sufficiency in energy possible.²²
• Electricity Connection: Tajikistan faced severe energy crises due to the disconnection from the Central Asia Power System (CAPS) in 2009 and subsequent cuts in gas supply from Uzbekistan in 2013. This forced the country to prioritize domestic energy sources like hydropower and coal. However, energy relations with Uzbekistan have improved since 2018, with resumed gas and electricity exchanges. Both countries are now working to reconnect Tajikistan to the CAPS, aiming for completion in 2023.⁴
• Grid Infrastructure: Tajikistan heavily relies on hydropower for electricity, leading to supply fluctuations throughout the year. The state-owned power company, which owns and operates the majority of the electricity system, faces financial difficulties. The grid suffers from significant network losses, estimated to be around 28%. To address these issues, the country is restructuring its electricity industry, promoting energy efficiency, and revising its electricity regulations and pricing.⁷

• On March 29 this year, the head of the Committee for Architecture and Construction, Nizom Mirzozoda, issued a new order, under which, starting on April 1, 2024, all new and renovated buildings must be equipped with solar energy systems capable of storing at least one day’s worth of electricity, in addition to being connected to the central power grid.²³
• The National Development Strategy for 2024-2030 mandates a significant expansion of the country’s electricity sector. This includes increasing electricity generation capacity to 10 billion gigawatts, boosting exports to 10 billion kilowatt-hours, and reducing electricity losses to 10%. Additionally, the strategy requires that 10% of the nation’s electricity be produced from alternative sources such as solar, wind, and others.²⁴

• MW Energy has signed an agreement with Tajikistan’s government to oversee the development of at least 500 megawatts of clean energy projects, focusing on floating solar and hydropower.²⁶
• In 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested $50 million to help businesses and households in the country adopt greener practices. The fund aims to improve energy and resource efficiency while supporting the nation’s shift to a sustainable economy.²⁸

Installed Projects:

Murghab solar power plant²⁷

• Location: Murghab District of VMKB region in Tajikistan.
• Capacity: 200 KW
• Details: Powered by USAID in partnership with the Government of Tajikistan and Pamir Energy. It is the first solar power plant in Tajikistan and the largest utility-operated solar farm in the country. Commissioned on October 28, 2020. USAID plans to expand the plant’s capacity to 800 kW with additional battery storage.

Projected Projects:

Sughd Private Solar Power Project²⁵

• Location: Sughd Region, the Republic of Tajikistan.
• Capacity: 100MW
• Details: To be approved June 13, 2025. It is being developed with the support of the World Bank and private sector involvement.

200 MW solar facility in Khatlon province⁵

• Location: Panj Free Economic Zone in Khatlon province, Southwestern Tajikistan.
• Capacity: 200MW
• Details: The project will be developed by Eging PV Technology with investment from South Korea’s Global Solar Wafer. The project will proceed in four stages and the construction is set to begin in July 2024, with the first of four phases planned for completion in March 2025.

Tajikistan is still in the early stages of developing its solar energy sector, hence there is no information found on notable solar panel production companies in the country. However, there are few companies that offer solar equipment sales and installation services.

• Green Technologies: Their services include sales of solar, wind, and hydropower equipment; cross-flow hydro turbine manufacturing; system design, engineering, and analysis; and installation and commissioning.¹⁷
• OJSC Systemavtomatika: Their services encompass the development, maintenance, and implementation of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. They also provide expert design, installation, and ongoing maintenance for a range of security, fire, and safety systems, including advanced CCTV and digital video surveillance solutions.¹⁸