Harnessing the Power of Electricity to Preserve Forests
Tajikistan Embraces Clean Energy and Efficient Cooking Solutions
In the rural communities of Tajikistan, a shift towards sustainable energy and cooking solutions is underway, thanks to initiatives led by organisations like Welthungerhilfe and local entrepreneurs such as Zohir Zohirov.
Zohir, a 51-year-old potato farmer, hailing from the remote village of Dehisor in Kuhistoni Mastchoh, discovered a unique opportunity in the training offered by Welthungerhilfe. Attending an information session on modified cooking stoves, he decided to apply for training and has since been building efficient cookstoves not only in his home village but also in surrounding communities.
The new cooking stoves, popular due to their efficiency, reduced smoke pollution, and easier cooking, have become a staple in many households. They require less wood for operation, saving villagers valuable time spent on collecting firewood and dung. Moreover, these stoves help reduce indoor air pollution and contribute to environmental preservation.
The positive impact of these projects is far-reaching. Economically, households are benefiting from notable savings and income improvements through reduced fuel costs. Healthwise, villagers are experiencing improvements due to reduced smoke exposure compared to traditional stoves. Environmentally, there are gains from lowering reliance on wood and coal, decreasing deforestation, and cutting down greenhouse gas emissions. Socially, these renewable energy solutions foster community collaboration with governments, NGOs, and the private sector to scale up these clean cooking solutions.
Meanwhile, Welthungerhilfe is addressing the poor supply of electricity in Tajikistan, affecting schools, hospitals, and other state institutions. The organisation, in partnership with Bargi Sabz, is constructing small hydropower and solar plants to overcome the local energy crisis, primarily harnessing renewable energies from the tributaries of the Zarafshan.
Eight micro hydro powerplants and solar plants have been constructed, capable of fulfilling the electricity needs of 6,000 people. Local repair workshops for these power plants have been established, and technicians have been trained to ensure long-term maintenance and sustainability.
The transportation and travel costs for the population are correspondingly high due to dependence on generators. The new district-level electricity company formed as a result of these projects is helping villagers sustainably remove a significant obstacle to development.
These energy projects in Tajikistan are showing measurable economic, health, and environmental benefits and are poised for further expansion through multi-stakeholder collaboration to reach more rural communities. The future looks bright for a cleaner, more sustainable Tajikistan.
[1] Welthungerhilfe. (2024). Tajikistan: Improving Livelihoods through Renewable Energy Solutions. Retrieved from www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/tajikistan
[2] Kappeler, P. (2024). Energy-efficient housing in Mongolia: The SOAP II project. Retrieved from www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/mongolia
[3] Welthungerhilfe. (2024). Tajikistan: Empowering Local Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Energy Solutions. Retrieved from www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/tajikistan
[4] Welthungerhilfe. (2024). Tajikistan: Green Energy for a Brighter Future. Retrieved from www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/tajikistan
- The shift towards renewable energy solutions in Tajikistan extends beyond cooking stoves, as organizations like Welthungerhilfe construct small hydropower and solar plants, harnessing the country's renewable energies to meet the electricity needs of thousands.
- The positive impact of these energy projects on the environment is significant, with reduced reliance on wood and coal contributing to decreased deforestation and lower greenhouse gas emissions, furthering the rise of environmental science in Tajikistan.
- As finance plays a crucial role in the succeeding expansion of clean energy projects, partnerships between governments, NGOs, the private sector, and local entrepreneurs, like Zohir Zohirov, will help ensure a sustainable and financeable future for environmental science, climate-change mitigation, and renewable-energy industry in Tajikistan.
