The electric power industry and non-ferrous metallurgy are 2 important branches of the economy in Tajikistan. It is well known that hydroelectric plants generate the cheapest and most environmentally friendly electric power. According to specific indicators of power resources, Tajikistan takes the first place in the world on specific indicators of water resources, and it takes eighth place (300 billion kWh per year) on absolute indicators of water resources. Currently, there are 5 hydroelectric power stations and 2 large heat power plants operating in Tajikistan. The country utilizes less than 5% of its technical potential in power resources. The Nurek hydroelectric power station is the largest in Tajikistan with a capacity of 2700 MWtm. It is one of the world's top 30 hydropower stations and it is the world's tallest hydroelectric power station at 300m. The country exports its electric power to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Afghanistan. The Tajik Aluminum Company in Tursunzade is the basic industrial enterprise of nonferrous metallurgy. It was constructed during the Soviet era and is still owned by the state. The plant produces more than 300 thousand tons of aluminum per year, and has a rated capacity of 517 thousand tons. Tajik aluminum plant products are mainly exported to the Netherlands and Turkey.

History. Power resources began developing in Tajikistan in the 1930s. The Nurek hydroelectric power station was launched in the beginning of the 1970s. The Tajik aluminum plant was commenced within the framework of a USSR program that aimed to organize a Southern-Tajik territorial-production complex. The complex was to become a powerful producer of electric power, nonferrous metals and electrochemical production. It was also meant to construct the Rogun, Sangtuda, Shurab and various other hydroelectric power stations. However, the construction of hydroelectric power stations was suspended after the collapse of the USSR. Nevertheless, the state's economic development strategy implies continued construction of these hydroelectric power stations by attracting local and foreign capital. Tajikistan has agreed to collaborate with the People's Republic of China in order to construct 220 kV and 500 kV power lines; this arrangement will allow the electric power export zone to expand to other countries.