The Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO) has accumulated a significant electricity debt of 571.5 million somonis (US$52.6 million) as of January 1, 2025, marking a 62% increase from the previous year’s debt. The figures were revealed during a February 11 press conference by Muhammad Ghulomzoda, a representative of OJSC Distribution Electric Networks. This debt includes both accumulated liabilities and current monthly payments of around 25 million somonis (US$2.3 million). However, no details were provided on TALCO’s total payments for 2024.
TALCO’s electricity consumption is substantial, averaging 5.7 million kWh per day—equivalent to 10% of Tajikistan’s total electricity production. In August 2024, TALCO had reportedly paid 90 million somonis after negotiations, agreeing to a monthly payment of 35 million somonis.
The company is also embroiled in a legal dispute with Barqi Tojik, Tajikistan’s state-run electricity provider, over a US$37 million debt allegedly accumulated in 2020. TALCO has disputed the full amount, claiming calculation errors. The representative of Distribution Electric Networks declined to provide an update on the lawsuit’s status during the recent press conference.
The debt dispute between Barqi Tojik and TALCO dates back to 2020. That year, Barqi Tojik claimed TALCO owed 415 million somonis (US$39.2 million), which TALCO denied, asserting that it had overpaid for electricity. As of January 2024, TALCO’s debt stood at over 351.7 million somonis (US$32.2 million).
TALCO benefits from preferential electricity rates—18.6 dirams per kWh—compared to 70.35 dirams for other industrial enterprises and 30.75 dirams for residential customers.
