BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Trend News Agency has prepared an overview of the major advancements in Tajikistan's energy sector from January through June 2023.
During the specified period, Tajikistan has made significant progress in the energy sector, with a focus on hydropower plants and initiatives to explore oil and gas resources, develop solar power plants, and increase electricity production.
Construction of Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP)
Main focus was paid on Tajikistan's largest energy project, the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP).
It was announced that in 2022, a total of 3.8 billion somoni ($359 million) was allocated to the construction of the Rogun HPP.
Furthermore, the World Bank announced in January 2023 that it would provide $15 million in funds for technical assistance for the project. Tajikistan has also been negotiating with other international financial institutes to secure grants and loans for the project.
In February, the Islamic Development Bank expressed willingness to finance Tajikistan's national economy, including $150 million for the Rogun HPP.
The Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Kokhir Rasulzoda, in June, said that once completed, the Rogun HPP would allow electricity exports to neighboring countries, the Eurasian Economic Union, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. According to him, the plant will be one of the largest, generating 3.6 GW of power and having a 335-meter-high dam.
Meanwhile, the World Bank mentioned in its report that Tajikistan's hydroelectricity capacity, especially from the Rogun HPP, could become a major source of clean energy for Central Asia. The experts of the bank predicted that around 60 percent of the power generated by the plant will be exported, amounting to 10 billion kWh annually.
Reconstruction of Sarband Hydropower Plant (HPP)
Another notable achievement of Tajikistan was the successful reconstruction of the Sarband Hydropower Plant (HPP).
In April, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon inaugurated the reconstructed Sarband HPP, which saw all six units completed since 2018. The plant's capacity increased from 160 MW to 270 MW, and it had generated over 3.132 billion kWh of electricity by April 20, 2023. While visiting the HPP, the President of the Asian Development Bank, in June, said that the bank will continue support for renewable energy projects in Tajikistan.
New HPPs in Zarafshan river
In June, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan initiated the first phase of constructing two hydroelectric power plants on Zarafshan river on Tajikistan's territory.
The initial stage includes geological exploration and surveys, followed by technical and economic studies. The project involves building the 140 MW Yavan HPP and the 135 MW Fandaryo HPP. International financial institutions, such as the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, have shown interest in financing the project, alongside the countries' own investments in the joint venture's capital.
Other noteworthy energy developments:
In January, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Daler Juma, announced that there are plans for the construction of solar power plants in the country with a total capacity of 730 MW in the coming years. The initial stage aims to consider the construction of five solar power plants with a combined capacity of 430 MW.
On February 21, it was announced that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) allocated $136 million for the Golovnaya Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project in Tajikistan.
The project's total cost amounted to $170 million. The rehabilitation is being carried out by the Tajik state energy company "Barqi Tojik" and is expected to be completed by February 13, 2024.
The project aims to upgrade the electric and mechanical equipment of the plant, increasing its generation capacity from 240 MW to 252 MW. The generated energy will be used for domestic consumption and export purposes.
Moreover, Uzbekistan signed an agreement with Tajikistan on May 12 to import 1.285 billion kWh of electricity from Tajikistan between May and September 2023. Since 2018, Uzbekistan has been importing electricity from Tajikistan to meet its energy needs.
In June, Tajikistan's Prime Minister, Kokhir Rasulzoda, announced plans to increase electricity production by constructing new hydroelectric power plants. The goal is to boost electricity production fivefold in the coming years through the development of new hydroelectric projects.
Furthermore, a source at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO) earlier told Trend that Switzerland is supporting the third phase of the Pamir Private Power Project in Tajikistan, which aims to enhance energy efficiency and ensure a resilient energy supply in the Pamir region.
According to the source, Switzerland has been collaborating with Tajikistan’s Pamir Energy Company to establish a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply in the region. The energy provided by Pamir Energy is derived from renewable sources such as hydro and solar energy.
As for the field of oil and gas, it was announced in January that the branch of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) would conduct exploration work in Tajikistan. CNPC representatives emphasized that the successful completion of exploration could significantly contribute to the development of Tajikistan's oil and gas industry.
Currently, Tajikistan generates about 98 percent of its electricity from hydropower plants. According to the Ministry of Energy, the country achieved a record electricity production of approximately 21.4 billion kWh in 2022, marking the highest level since its independence. The country's hydro electric resources are estimated at 527 billion kWh per year.
Over the past 30 years of independence, Tajikistan has constructed and upgraded 287 large and small hydropower plants, and 50 substations, and reconstructed 75 percent of its energy infrastructure.