Assessment of Household Energy Deprivation in Tajikistan : Policy Options for Socially Responsible Reform in the Energy Sector
Every year an estimated seventy percent of Tajikistan's population suffers from severe electricity shortages in winter. The energy sector was affected by dramatic changes over the last few decades - regional energy cooperation was disrupted after the break-up of the Soviet Union, gas imports were interrupted, and the state was unable to invest adequately in the maintenance of the national energy infrastructure. Tajikistan has been facing severe power shortages in winter months since the district heating system collapsed and households as a consequence started to use electricity for heating purposes. This report assesses energy deprivation in Tajikistan with an emphasis on the human dimension, paying special attention to rural areas. It takes a broad look at household energy security, affordability, and coping mechanisms, in order to inform short and medium-term policies to mitigate energy deprivation. Firstly, it analyzes energy use and spending patterns across diverse groups of consumers, low and middle-income, rural and urban, people who live in houses and those who live in apartments, as the type of energy used determines household vulnerability. Secondly, it examines impacts of energy expenses on the household budget, and strategies adopted to cope with energy payments. Thirdly, it collects consumer attitudes towards potential measures to improve energy security and affordability, such as social assistance and support to improve energy efficiency. It explores the conditions under which an electricity tariff increase would gain acceptance among consumers. Fourthly and lastly, the report simulates the quasi-fiscal impact and the targeting performance of a series of measures that could cushion the impact of rising energy expenditure.