DUSHANBE, March 28, Asia-Plus - “In future, we plan to make shift to supplying the population with electric power only and natural has will be used needs of industries only,” Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov remarked at the beginning of his meeting with Gazprom head Aleksey Miller in Dushanbe today. 

Tajik Energy Minister Jurabek Nurmahmadov also attended the meeting.  

Oqilov expressed hope that the meeting would give a new impulse to expansion of Tajik-Russian energy cooperation.  According to him, the prospected reserves of natural gas in Tajikistan amount to 70 billion cubic meters.  

“Our gas deposits may be inconsiderable compared to the world’s ones but they are of great importance for the country’s energy sector,” the prime minister said.  Oqilov also noted that the construction of hydropower plants was also of significance for development of Tajikistan ’s energy sector and industries, including mining.   

For his part, the energy minister noted that they planned to submit for consideration to the Russian side projects for development of four gas fields in Tajikistan – Western Shohambari ( Hissor Valley ), Sargazon in Danghara, Sariqamish in Shahrinav and Rishta.