DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 9. Official commissioning of three hydropower units has taken place at the Kayrakkum hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in Tajikistan's Sughd region, following renovations, Trend reports.
The station's recommissioning was inaugurated by President Emomali Rahmon. According to the press service of the president, the hydroelectric station, which consists of six units, saw its last unit, with a designed capacity of 21 MW, come online in 1957. Over 68 years of operation, the units and other key equipment have become outdated.
Since 2019, under President Rahmon's initiative, renovation work has been underway. The overhaul of hydroelectric units No. 4, 5, and 6 took over five years, with each unit's capacity increasing from 19 MW to 29 MW.
As part of the renovation project, key equipment in the machine hall has been replaced, including the turbine control system, transformers, excitation systems, the pressure water apparatus, and the hydro unit control system. Six 40 MW transformers and other major components, imported from European countries, have been installed.
Additionally, an SF6 gas-insulated switchgear has replaced the open air 220/110 kV switchgear. The project also included strengthening the station's dam, completing an assessment of the old equipment on unit No. 2, and renovating five overhead cranes.
Current work continues on assembling parts for hydro unit No. 3, repairing the bridge over the upper level of the station, and reconstructing other parts of the machine hall.
Upon full completion of this project and the commissioning of remaining units, scheduled by 2026, the average annual electricity production at the Kayrakkum HPP is expected to increase from 580 million kWh to 850 million kWh.