1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preamble

1. This is the first Semi - Annual Environmental Monitoring Report (SAEMR) for the Power Sector Development Program for the reporting period from March to December 2021.

2. The project became effective in March 2021. The scheduled closing date is September 2026.

1.2 Headline Information

3. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project covers (i) metering infrastructure in seven cites and meter data transfer to control centres, (ii) a new back-up control centre in Dushanbe and upgrade of existing control centre in Khujand as back-up, and (ii) upgrade of existing low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) networks to facilitate AMI project and reduce system technical losses. The project is mostly focused in the capital city of Dushanbe and six other cities – Dangara, Panjakent, Istaravshan, Buston, Konibodom, and Isfara; and also includes activities all around the country (boundary meters’ enhancement in 35kV and 10kV selected substations). The location of the seven cities under the scope of the project is presented below in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Location of the main cities under the project scope.

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND CURRENT ACTIVITIES

2.1 Project Description

4. The power reform program focuses on five output areas of which outputs 1 and 2 are the policy component and outputs 3–5 are the investment project:

- Output 1: Power subsector governance structure strengthened;

- Output 2: Financial management of power utilities improved;

- Output 3: Sustainable corporate management in the new distribution company introduced;

- Output 4: Retail billing and collection system modernized.

- Output 5: Sector’s reform and operational capacity strengthened