When Cold Winter and Energy Shortage Meet

Crossing streets in Khudjent, the northern capital of Tajikistan, can be a risky enterprise. One has a dilemma of either freezing in cold that runs down to as low as 20 below zero, or being run down by cars. “This year's cold is unbelievable. One thing is to come from freezing weather outside and warm up inside the house. But when you come home into a yet worse cold, that is devastating,” claims Rahim Aka – a taxi driver.

Unprecedented winter made people start using more electricity thus overloading the old Soviet infrastructure. Politicians decided to introduce a so-called “fan blackout”. “It is bad enough coming home in the evening and having barely an hour to feed oneself before electricity is turned off at 9pm. But also, we have only one hour of power in the morning between 7-8 am, barely enough time to shower and heat a cup of tea,” continues Rahim Aka.

It is not only people in their homes who suffer. This also affects businesses, as well as government offices. The latter have limited hours of operation, thus not providing service to people. And this certainly delays the possibility to do any business. This year's winter and energy crisis, is a challenge not only to the ordinary citizen, but also to the businessmen and his ability to create jobs. Tajikistan currently is ranked 158 out of 178 economies in the Doing Business 2008 report. And, Doing Business is soon to incorporate a new indicator on infrastructure.