Friday, April 27, 2012 -
Tajikcement, the largest cement producer in Tajikistan, resumed operations Wednesday after a nearly one-month hiatus without gas fuel to fire up its furnaces.
The factory was forced to stop production when Uzbekistan, the country’s only natural gas supplier, halted gas deliveries to Tajikistan on April 1.
Tajikcement is wholly dependent on the Uzbek gas to fuel all its operations.
Despite a resumption of operations, the enterprise is currently working below capacity.
“The factory receives 6,000 cubic meters of gas per hour which is enough for one furnace only,” the Asia-Plus news agency quoted a representative of Tajikistan’s Energy and Industry Ministry as telling it.
Tajikcement is now looking to switch over to an alternative fuel.
Early this week the management signed an agreement with Chinese company Beijing Jinchuang Combined Gas Meter which has shown interest in making the conversion to coal.
Under the agreement, the firm will design a feasibility study for the project.
The factory at full capacity produces 600 tons of cement per day. Most of its output goes toward constructing the controversial Rogun hydropower plant. The Uzbek government vehemently opposes the dam, fearing it will limit irrigation water to Uzbekistan’s vast cotton crops.