The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are contributing towards greater efficiency of Tajikistan’s Shabakahoi Taksimoti Bark (STB), a state-owned power utility responsible for electricity distribution, by providing a financial package of US$ 110 million.

It consists of an EBRD sovereign loan of up to US$25 million and an ADB grant of US$85 million and will fund the introduction of advanced metering and grid enhancements in seven municipalities across Tajikistan. The project, which will also help install billing systems and facilitate various grid improvements, will be implemented in the country’s capital Dushanbe as well as in the cities and districts of Buston, Dangara, Konibodom, Isfara, Istaravshan and Panjakent.

It is expected that upon implementation the project will help reduce STB’s power losses by around 30 GWh and cut CO2 emissions by almost 2,000 tonnes annually.

The latest project under the EBRD’s Tajikistan Energy Efficiency Framework, it will also help create employment opportunities for local young people.

To date, the EBRD has invested €765 million through 140 projects in Tajikistan’s economy.