Aiding the Poor in Tajikistan: Providing Decentralized Hydroelectric Power (Research Brief)
February 15, 2011
Tajikistan is a poor landlocked state in Central Asia with significant hydroelectric potential. However it is currently unable to provide adequate amounts of electricity to its population, especially during the winter to rural families. To achieve greater energy provision, this research focused on the feasibility of promoting small and medium size hydroelectric power generation. Although the provision of hydroelectric energy on a smaller scale faces obstacles, these small scale projects have the greatest chance of providing important development opportunities to the poorest members of society. When funding energy projects in Tajikistan, international donors should balance large and small scale energy production since smaller scale projects have the greatest probability of helping the poor with their immediate energy needs.
Download the pdf at the top of this page for the full brief.
Michael J. G. Cain, of St. Mary's College of Maryland, was a 2010-11 Embassy Policy Specialist (EPS) fellow.
