The stronger downstream countries are teaming up to block hydropower projects in their much poorer neighbors ahead of an upcoming conference. This is truly unfortunate as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are experiencing political and economic unrest.
To make matters worse, Uzbekistan is limiting shipments of gas to Tajikistan over outstanding debt. In a terrible catch-22, Tajikistan can’t make payments for gas because of a lack of domestic power sources. Tajiktransgaz owes almost $16 million to its Uzbek counterpart because its customers have been unable to pay the company.